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The Cork Scratch Cup

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Munster Strokeplay Championship 2016

2016 Winner Cathal Butler

Most people will know that last weekend’s competition was the Munster Strokeplay, but not everyone will know that when the event was given Championship status it had the additional designation of “incorporating the Cork Scratch Cup”.  The Cork Scratch Cup is one of the oldest trophies in Irish golf and according to Cork’s GM Matt Sands, it the original cup that was awarded over 90 years ago.  The cup and base holds the names of the all of the winners.

The trophy was presented by William Dwyer, the same person who started the inter-society competition which still runs today.  Dwyer presented the trophy in 1923 and won it in himself in 1924.  The trophy bears the names of the great Cork Golf Club stalwarts, Crosbie, Simcox, Bruen and Higgins are all represented, with Jimmy Bruen claiming four consecutive titles from 1938-1941.  There was a gap of four years during the war and Redmond Simcox won his fourth title in 1947 when the competition resumed.  Simcox was one of three golfers Continue reading →

Walsh wins in Cork, Munster Senior Championships

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Paula Walsh (Doneraile)

Paula Walsh (Doneraile)

Doneraile’s Paula Walsh won the Munster Senior Open Championship in Cork today, and her three under par display meant that she was a wire to wire winner over the three rounds.  Paula went into the final round with a three shot lead, and her four birdies and single bogey saw her extend her grip on the tournament to win by six strokes.  The Doneraile golfer is also a member of Cork and she used her knowledge of the Little Island course as she dominated the event.  Two early birdies on the first and second would have settled her as she continued with a very steady game to maintain and extend her lead.  It’s two in a row for North Cork, last years winner in Waterville was Valerie Clancy from Mitchelstown.  Second place went to Sara Byrne from Douglas who was one of only three players to break par on the final day.  It was a great finish for Byrne who opened with a disappointing 80 in the first round.  A second round 75 saw her jump up to 6th place and the one under par 73 today saw the Douglas golfer finish in second place overall.

Gallery: Munster Senior & Junior Championships

Sara had a dream start, with three straight birdies from the first hole.  Two more birdies followed on the back nine and she played a very tidy game with just four bogies on the card.  Byrne also won the De Courcey Trophy and Continue reading →

Dublin date for Irish Golf Expo

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2015-golf-expo-128After hosting two great events in Belfast, the 2017 Irish Golf Expo will be bigger and better.  And because its moving to Dublin, it’s now very accessible for golfers from Cork.  The Irish Golf Expo is a unique event providing golf enthusiasts with the opportunity to attend Ireland’s only large-scale golf exhibition.  Visitors will be engaged in a unique interactive golf experience supported by the biggest names in the golf industry. Aimed at promoting golf participation in Ireland and providing golf enthusiasts with a chance to get up close and personal with the latest equipment, gadgets and golf accessories, the 2017 Irish Golf Expo is an unmissable event in the Irish golfing Continue reading →

UCC win first Inter-Varsity League Event

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AIG Junior Cup Munster Finals

Adam McSweeney (Cork IT)

UCC Golf Club gained the bragging rights over Cork IT after the first inter-varsity league event in Cork Golf Club.  The first event was a huge success, ten matches were played with seven of them reaching the 18th green.  UCC won six of the matches, Cork IT claimed three with one matched halved after 18 holes.  Cork IT took an early lead thanks to wins from Adam McSweeney and Jack Murphy

The matches proved to be very close with the organiser’s idea of matching handicaps working out very well.  The event has proven that both UCC and Cork IT have a great depth of quality golfers, and the competition provided a platform for competitive golf very early in the year.  The league came about after Cian Kidney and Dave O’Sullivan got together with the hope of creating a competitive format for both colleges.

Following the success of the first event, the next round is scheduled to take place in Muskerry Golf Club in two weeks time.  Five events in all are planned for series of events that are being kindly hosted
Continue reading →

Captain Lee Looking forward to 2017

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Castlemartyr Captain Michael Lee presents Greg Allen with a gift following the very successful members evening with Peter Alliss in December

Castlemartyr Captain Michael Lee and his committee should have a great but busy year ahead of them.  With over 150 new members, Castlemartyr has now entered the major leagues in term of managing club competitions and inter-club events.  “This is going to be a very busy year for myself as Captain and for my Committee” said Michael, “but I am looking forward to the challenge ahead this year, I have a good mix of experienced and new people on my committee and we are looking forward to helping all members of the club to enjoy a good golfing year ahead.”

With a new ILGU affiliated Ladies Club in addition to the new male members, Castlemartyr should find themselves competing at all levels of inter-club competitions.  Castlemartyr reached the Munster finals of the AIG Senior Cup in 2014 so they will be hoping to match that achievement in one of the five GUI Cups and Shields competitions.  “As Captain I am really looking forward to the teams events this year” said Michael, “for the first time in the clubs short history we will be putting in a mixed foursomes team for competition.  With all the members we have now I expect a lot of competition for all the team events.”

And he also added his support for the investment in machinery that took place in 2015: “The owners have bought a lot of new machinery to keep the course going in the great condition it is in at the moment, and to hopefully have Continue reading →

High Hopes for 2017

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After a poor start, 2016 seemed to behave itself, so it’s fair to say that everyone is hoping for more of the same in 2017.  Last year will be year that is remembered as the year when membership and revenues stabilised.  While that was positive for clubs, it was also very positive for courses.  After six years of falling membership it was a relief for the industry and the recovery has started.

cork-gc-tweet-31st-dec-2016On course, 2016 had a very slow start with record rain-fall levels meaning that there was no play until late February.  After that though the season got underway pretty quickly, and the mild weather in the past three months has allowed clubs to catch up on the slow start.

The signs from clubs and courses are that they have moved from neutral to positive, with almost everyone driving on with their development plans.  Fota Island Academy have launched a new membership scheme which transforms the previous model, Lee Valley invested heavily in machinery and course inputs, as did many other clubs.  Cobh led the way with nine hole open competitions and Skibbereen offered an innovative pay and pay membership option.  Castlemartyr face into the new year after adding over 100 new Continue reading →

Wedding Pics

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This was the handiest way to do it.

Starting with pics on the balcony or Maria at the hotel entrance and I’ll shoot from the balcony:

 

 

You’re better off jumping into my car to go down, it’s still a bit of a walk from the edge of the car park.  I’ll have my car ready and a parking space reserved:

 

 

Wind above all else will decide indoor or outdoor, they’ll make that call on Thurs morning but we’ll assume it’s outdoor.  Places for pics of the two of you (plus kids in some pics:

The beach is pretty inaccessible, there’s a stream on the left side and steep steps on the right.  It’s no big issue going there, just that it will take 5-10 mins to get down, the same to get up and the beach will be busy.  On the plus side it will be low tide to there will be plenty of sand.

Might be as well to do family pics inside, nice area here with great lighting, it’s a lobby before you get into the function room, nice drawing room and couple of nice spots for some couple photo’s too:

2016 Review of the Year, Part 2

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April
Final Round, EMC Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup 2016The final round of the Munster Youths took place at Monkstown on the 1st April with Mallow’s James Sugrue chasing his second title.  Torrential rain however forced the abandonment of the final round meaning that second round leader Jack McDonnell was declared winner.  James Sugrue continued his good form and won the Muskerry Senior Scratch Cup, the first of a four week swing of senior competitions.  Colm Campbell Jnr won the 54 hole EMC Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup

the following week, Ian Spillane (Mallow) was Continue reading →

Cork win Munster Club of the Year Award

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munster-golf-adm_awards_112Cork Golf Club were recently awarded the Munster Club of the Year award from Munster Golf.  The club that was first founded in 1888 has been central to Cork and Munster golf for over 125 years and while the tradition creates a legacy, the club has continually evolved and developed to remain at the forefront of the sport.  The Club moved to its present site in 1897, and in 1924 the world famous designer Dr. Alister MacKenzie redesigned the course.  In 2010 – 2012 major alterations were carried out under Martin Hawtree to restore the MacKenzie design.  Over the years the Club has hosted many major Amateur and Professional Championships over the years.  Graeme McDowell won the Irish Youths in 1999. Shane Lowry won the Irish Close in 2007.  The Club has won 14 national pennants and in 2016 won Continue reading →

Staff the key for Cork GC

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Anthony Gillis receiving a presentation after 50 years service at Cork Golf Club

One of the keys behind the success of Cork Golf Club has been the staff.  Cork has had a tradition of being a great place to work with many staff members holding long service at the Little Island club.  General Manager Matt Sands came from Dublin close to 30 years ago to take up the role in Cork.  Matt isn’t the only employee with long service.  Anthony Gillis has worked in Cork for the past 52 years, moving through various roles to become the Course Superintendent, Matt himself has been in Cork for 28 years while Gerry Kenneally has run the restaurant and kitchen for 27 years.  PGA Professional Peter Hickey has also worked in the famous course for over 20 years.

“I enjoy my role as General Manager in Cork Golf Club” said Matt.  “I have worked here for nearly 29 years and can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of my time here.  The esteem in which the club is held is evident when you travel away and also when you hear comments from the many guests who visit the club.  The course has had major renovations carried out over the last number of years, it is always presented in good condition and very enjoyable to play.  It is often called a hidden gem and having been designed by Alister MacKenzie the layout deserves the many accolades it receives.”  According to Matt, the award capped off a great year for Cork that also saw them claim a coveted Munster Pennant.  “Being named Club of the Year for 2016 at the recent meeting of Munster Golf has given everyone in the club a great boost.  We have a team of 20 employed in the club, many with long service.  2017 will again see us hosting the Munster Stroke Play Championship, Our Pro Am and will also welcome many local, overseas visitors and Corporate events.”

 

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