William Dwyer 2014 Finalists

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The qualifiers for the William Dwyer Trophy, Ireland’s oldest society competition took place on Tuesday and holders ESB Wilton are safely through to next week’s final.  The qualifier took place in superb weather at Mahon and ESB Wilton headed the with a great score of 200 from their best three foursomes cards.  Mactoums were second on 207 and Eli Lilly were third on 209.  Lada took the final qualifying spot with 210.  The best socre of the day came from ESB Wilton pairing Sean Mythen and Andy Houlihan who returned a 65.

The first qualifier took place last week and Mahon’s Senior Circle topped the scores with 203.  The other qualifiers on the day were Bluffers, Cork Airport and Mollies.  In all there were 18 societies taking part in the popular competition.  The trophy is a unique as it has the names of each golfer from each of the 71 winning teams to date.All eight will now go through to the final.  I addition to the holders, Mactoums, Eli Lilly and Lada are all previous winners so it promises to be a great final.  Monkstown will play host to the final which takes place on Thursday next.

 

Ian Prendergast on the Irish Open Range in Fota

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Ian Prendergast on the Irish Open Range in Fota

Golf_Irish Open_Driving Range

By Niall O’Shea

It’s all hands on deck this week in Fota, and all of the golf staff have new roles on the course supporting the event.  PGA professional Ian Prendergast normally runs lessons and camps from the Academy in Fota but this week the academy has turned into the busiest range in Europe and Ian’s in charge.  With a team of 14, Ian has to ensure that all 156 professionals are looked after whether it’s warming up before the round, or practising afterwards. Continue reading →

Derek Delivers the Winning Clubs for the Tour Stars

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Derek Delivers the Winning Clubs for the Tour Stars

Golf_Irish Open_Derek Murray_June2014
By Niall O’Shea

Many golfers are known for an almost unhealthy obsession with equipment.   From drivers to wedges and putters, from shafts to grips, golfers are always interested in the latest developments and technology, anything that will help their game.  While the majority of spectators in Fota this week will have their eyes on the course, a few will spend some time on the range watching the golfers and their equipment.  The tour trucks will be in Fota too, providing technical assistance, replacement equipment and minor or major adjustments for anyone of the 156 professional golfers needing a last minute fix.  With a total of €2m on offer in Continue reading →

Castlemartyr Fringe Festival of Golf

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Castlemartyr Fringe Festival of Golf

By Niall O’Shea

You can expect golf to be the main topic of conversation next week as the Irish Open takes place in Cork.  And while Fota plays host to over 150 of Europe’s top golfers, several other courses are getting in on the action.  Cobh and Monkstown are two of the clubs with events planned around the Irish Open and Castlemartyr has created their very own fringe festival around the main event.  Continue reading →

East Cork through Pierce Purcell Finals

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East Cork through Pierce Purcell Finals

By Niall O’Shea

East Cork GC booked their place in the Pierce Purcell Munster Finals on Sunday with an impressive win over Bandon Golf Club.  Monkstown was the venue for the area final and both side were hoping to advance after they both had overcome strong opposition in the area matches.  Continue reading →

Monkstown’s McNamara has second bite at the Irish Open

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Monkstown’s McNamara has second bite at the Irish Open

Golf_Cian McNamara_Monkstown GC_June2014

By Niall O’Shea

A year ago Cian McNamara was facing a daunting trip to Carton House for his first appearance in the Irish Open.  12 months later the Monkstown PGA professional is relishing a return to the event that saw make headlines with four under par first round.  Naturally McNamara is delighted to be back playing in the big time, the Limerick man qualified last year thanks to his top eight finish on the PGA Ireland Order of Merit, and a similar finish in 2013 saw another invitation being issued. Continue reading →

O’Leary Partners Cronin to Mahon Scratch Cup Wins

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O’Leary Partners Cronin to Mahon Scratch Cup Wins

Golf_Mahon Golf Club_Scratch Cups_June 2014

By Niall O’Shea

Mahon Golf Club held their annual scratch cups weekend over Saturday and Sunday and there was a clean sweep for Mahon golfers.  It’s always nice when one of your three-ball is going well, but it seldom happens that two of the three go on to win a scratch cup.  Paul Cronin and Tony O’Leary have played together for many years and it looked for a while like Paul was in with a shout for the Intermediate title.  Continue reading →

Wayne heading for the US Masters of Junior Golf

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Wayne heading for the US Masters of Junior Golf

Golf_Wayne Whitley O'Callaghan_Jun2014

By Niall O’Shea

Nine year old Wayne Whitley O’Callaghan is about to take on the golfing world.  He’s heading to the US where he has qualified for two international junior golf events.  Wayne will be Ireland’s only representative at the World Masters of Junior Golf in Las Vegas in July and in September he has a date in Pinehurst for the US Kids Finals.  Wins in the Irish Junior Golf Tour last year saw Wayne qualify for Las Vegas, he won events in Munster, Ulster and Leinster in the under 8 category.  A few weeks ago Wayne won again in Dungarvan, this time in a US Kids qualifier and went forward to the Irish finals in Portmarnock Links.  The final was over nine holes and Wayne went around the shortened course in 40 strokes.  The nine year old was two shots off the lead playing the last but a great tee shot on the 114 yard hole saw his ball finish just 10 feet from the hole.  He made to putt to tie the lead and went on to win on the countback. Continue reading →

WACKY TROUSERS’ DAY LAUNCHED FOR IRISH OPEN 2014

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Shake a leg at Wacky Trousers’ Day and win prizes from Emirates

The Masters - Round Three

Forget your fascinators and gorgeous gúnas, this year’s Irish Open is all about the wackiest dressed in homage to golf legend and sometime fashionista, John Daly.  The organisers of The Irish Open are calling on ladies and gents alike to unleash their inner John Daly and arrive to Fota Island Resort in their craziest shorts or trousers on Friday, 20th June, to be considered for the wacky fashion crown and some fantastic prizes.  Top prize is a €500 voucher for award-winning airline and official airline to The Irish Open, Emirates with lots of European Tour runners-up prizes on offer to encourage visitors to get into the spirit of Wacky Trousers’ day and bring even more colour to the county of Cork. Continue reading →