Irish Mixed Foursomes : South Munster 2018
Long Read: Liam Burns Celebrates 25 years in Youghal
Liam Burns is a West Cork man by birth, but after 25 years in Youghal, he surely qualifies as an East Cork man. Liam is celebrating 25 years as the Club Professional at Youghal Golf Club and after taking up the game in his mid teens, he turned it into a career. It’s surprising to hear that Liam was a later comer to golf, but once he started he was bitten by the bug. “I only started playing golf at age 16 with my good friend school teacher Paddy Kehoe” explained the Bandon native. “Paddy thought me in Hamilton High School in Bandon and his son Mark was single handicap player at the time. They encouraged me to play golf as my parents didn’t play. Starting out I would play 36 holes a day sometimes. Whenever I got a chance I was on the golf Continue reading
Cope Classic Set for Monkstown
Pictured at the launch of the annual Cope Foundation Golf Classic, sponsored by O’Flynn Exhams Solicitors, at Monkstown Golf Club are Micheal O’Mullain, Partner at O’Flynn Exhams Solicitors, Sean Abbott, Chief Executive at Cope Foundation and Stephen Archer, Munster Rugby prop.
Pic Darragh Kane
Cope Foundation recently launched their annual Golf Classic, which returns to Monkstown Golf Club later this year. After spending almost two decades in Rathsallagh, the classic returned to Cork in 2015 when Monkstown hosted the first event when it came back to Cork. After successful events in Douglas and Cork, the popular classic now returns to Monkstown for the 2018 staging. The event is in its 22nd year, and it raises much needed funds for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families. Last year’s Golf Classic raised over €40,000, bringing the total funds raised to date to over €1.6 million. This year’s tournament, which will feature 60 teams, will take place at Monkstown Golf Club on the 28th and 29th of June. To register for the event, visit www.cope-foundation.ie/GolfRegistration. Money raised from the annual event has made a significant contribution towards the essential services Cope Foundation provides to people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism across Cork city and county. Last year golfers were treated to a great day out in Cork Golf Club. Fine weather added to the event and there were full time sheets for each of the three scrambles. The perpetual trophy, given to the leading team from all Continue reading
Murphy wins St Andrew’s Links Trophy
John Murphy gave himself an early birthday present today when he won the St Andrew’s Links Trophy, and there was a little bit of a surprise too as he drained a 25 foot putt on first play-off hole to claim his first major title outside of Ireland. Murphy shot 66 on the Old Course yesterday to hold the 36 hole lead. A 71 this morning had him tied for the lead with one more round on the Old Course to come. John started well, birdies on the 3rd and 4th saw him jump into a two shot lead. He held that lead at the turn but when he dropped a shot on the 13th there was a three way tie for the lead. East of Ireland winner Christo Lamprecht was leading but a on the road hole took him out of contention. Germany’s Jannik de Bruyn shot a 68 to finish on -9. Murphy parred 14 to 17 and he Continue reading
Gallery: Pierce Purcell Shield Area Final
Pictures from Kinsale: Continue reading
Strong Cork Challenge in Baltray
John Hickey
There was a strong Cork presence in Baltray over the weekend as the course hosted the East of Ireland Championship. Favourable scoring conditions led to some very impressive scoring with several 66’s recorded on the first day. Cork’s John Hickey was one of those to finish the opening round on 66, he was five under after his opening six holes. Two more birdies along with a bogey followed on his way to the -6 round which saw him tie the lead. Hickey added rounds of 72, 73 and 71 to finished in 13th place. Gary O’Flaherty was one behind Hickey on the opening day after a 67. He added a 74 on Sunday but two rounds of 69 on Monday saw him jump into the top ten and finish in 7th place. Continue reading
Nine Hole Membership at Fota Island
The driving range at the Fota Island Academy
Things rarely stay still in Fota Island and 2018 has brought about another positive move for the resort. Fota are now offering a new category of membership that gives golfers access to the tour level academy and playing access to the nine holes surrounding the academy. Often known as the new nine – although the holes are there for well over a decade – the layout wraps around the academy range and practice greens. While Academy members had the option to play the nine holes last year, the new development give them much wider access as well as the crucially important option to hold an official GUI or ILGU handicap. Fota Island Marketing Director Seamus Leahy explained that the 2018 development is part of an ongoing programme to bring the benefits of membership to a wider audience. “Effectively there is now a 9 hole CSS and we’ve seen significant interest in the membership. We see this as a five-year project to help grow and development new members – especially the time poor golfer” explained Leahy. “The higher quality product is more readily available, and the opportunity to bring the lessons learnt to a course environment is a big advantage. The existing academy members are Continue reading
Major win for Long in Douglas
Eoghan Long claimed his first scratch cup win on Sunday when he won the 36 hole Douglas Senior Scratch Cup. The Monkstown man posted the best score of the afternoon when he signed for a two under par 70. Added to his level par 72 from the morning, his total of 142 for the 36 holes was enough to win the title by one shot. Long had two challengers, both Peter O’Keeffe and Eric Rumley had shot 70’s in the first round, but they both finished with 73’s in the afternoon.
Play in Douglas was delayed on Sunday morning due to heavy rain. Although the overnight downpour had stopped the course staff needed some time to clear some standing water. Although the threat of rain was never too far away the course dried out and some good golf was on display. O’Keeffe and Rumley were the only golfers to break par. Long along with Stephen O’Neill and Darren Continue reading
Gallery: Jimmy Bruen Shield Area Final, Kinsale v Fermoy
Pictures from Douglas: Continue reading
Golf for All Launch
A Golf for All programme was launched this week, with the hope that it can attract more people to take up the sport. Cork Sports Partnership have teamed up with Cork City Council, Confederation of Golf in Ireland, Prince Clinic and Mahon Golf Course to offer adults with a disability the opportunity to get involved in a four week Golf For All programme. The weekly sessions are suitable for beginners or anyone who has been away from the golf course for some time. The weekly sessions will be delivered by Irish Amateur Open Champion Peter O’Keeffe. Golf For All will began on Tuesday May 22nd for four weeks and continues each Tuesday from 6pm – 7pm at Mahon Golf Club. Pádraig Healy is the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Cork Sports Partnership and he has been the driving force behind the programme. “We are really excited to offer adults with a disability the opportunity to play golf for the first time or support players return to the game with this four week Golf For All programme” said Healy. “The programme is open to adults with Intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities.”
Golf fitness coach and 2017 Irish Amateur Open champion Peter O’Keeffe said “I am delighted to be involved in this project and to have the opportunity to promote golf to a wider group and give people with a disability the chance to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of our wonderful game.” Registration is just €20 for the four week programme. A few places still remain, to register contact Continue reading
Cork Golf News 