Honorary President Peter Alliss and Captain Tony Loughnane pictured at the Castlemartyr members evening with Peter Alliss. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Golf Legend Peter Alliss fulfilled a long-standing obligation last week when he visited Castlemartyr Golf Club. Late last year the famous BBC anchor was named honorary President of Castlemartyr, a title he also holds in Old Thorns Golf Club, Castlemartyr’s UK parent hotel. Alliss had hoped to travel for the President’s Prize earlier this year but was unable to do so. And instead sent a video message to members. On Friday evening he went one better, attending a member’s Q&A session which was moderated by RTE’s Greg Allen. Greg who is an accomplished golfer himself was delighted to get the opportunity to join in the unique event. At the start of the evening, the MC reminded everyone that in addition to an impressive career as a commentator, Peter started as a very successful tour pro, winning over 20 times at events in the UK and across Europe. Now 85 years old, Alliss was in great form on the night, and almost 100 packed into the Pod for the members only event. Peter gave full and frank answers to the questions which had been submitted by members. In addition to giving everyone an idea of how professional golf was in the 50’s Alliss also gave Continue reading
Carrigaline based PGA Professional Wayne O’Callaghan has recently set up a new base in Raffeen Creek Golf Club. The popular instructor has moved from his previous base in Fernhill where he had worked for the past four years. Wayne qualified as a PGA Professional almost twenty years ago having served his apprenticeship under Bandon’s Paddy O’Boyle. From 1998 to 2012 he worked from the busy Carrigdhoun Golf Range and in 2012 he moved to Fernhill Golf Course. Over the past four years Wayne developed a very strong junior programme, which incorporated quite a bit of on-course work which complimented the range and putting green aspect of the programme. Although his time on the PGA Irish Region Tour has been limited due to his teaching commitments, Wayne did feature in the top ten a number of times this year. Having left Fernhill in October, Wayne wasted no time in setting up a new base. “I have now 
The presentation of the Harbour Shield took place recently when Cobh Golf Club hosted a competition for the ten participating clubs. The final took place a few weeks previously and it was contested by Kinsale and Douglas who were both looking for their first title. After a closely fought final it was Douglas who won despite conceding home advantage to Kinsale. It was a long trip to the final for the young Douglas golfers. In the league section they came up against Kinsale, Cork, Blarney and East Cork, winning all of their matches. In the semi-final they beat Mahon to qualify for the final and a rematch against Kinsale.
For the first time in many years there will be a three way election for the post of Chairman of the Munster Branch. The Annual delegates meeting takes place later this month and the election will see two Munster Branch Officers and a former Officer contest the election. There is one nomination for each of the other Officer posts and there are 21 nominees for the 17 places on the Provincial Council.
After the official launch of the ladies club in Castlemartyr earlier this year, the five star resort has launched a very attractive membership offer for the year ahead. The normal membership fee has been slashed to just €599 as the new club makes a play to attract ladies to the club. Castlemartyrs’ PGA Professional Brady Sherwood has worked hard for the past two years to build and develop the ladies side of their membership packages. “There has always been a demand for a ladies club in Castlemartyr Golf Club.” Said Sherwood. “Due to our golf course originally being so busy with green fee players in the opening years, there was never really a clear focus on the ladies membership until now. This inland Links style golf course is easy to walk and not too long or over challenging. It’s also a resort style set up, so it’s always prepared and set up beautifully for enjoyable golf. The feedback we get from lady golfers is extremely positive and they love the fact being sand based you can twelve months of the year in great condition, the majority of the new lady members that have joined Castlemartyr for the simple fact of accessing the seven-day full membership 
Bandon native Brian O’Donovan shot an opening round of 69 to finish in the top 20 at the Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong. O’Donovan is competing in his first PGA Tour China event this season and is very well placed in the field of 120 golfers. He’s three shots off the lead on one under par. The Mission Hills senior instructor had two bogies and three birdies on the front nine and he followed that with nine pars on the way back.
