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
AIG Pierce Purcell Shield :: South Munster 2018 Draw & Results
O’Keeffe retains Kerry Scratch Cup title
Peter O’Keeffe from Douglas being presented with the 113 year old Kerry Scratch up by Frank Hayes (Director of Corporate Affairs Kerry Group PLC) and Kevin McCarthy (Captain Tralee Golf Club). Photo by Domnick Walsh Eye Focus LTD
Peter O’Keeffe claimed his first win of the 2018 season when he successfully defended his Kerry Scratch Cup title in Tralee last weekend. It was the perfect weekend for O’Keeffe as he fine-tuned his game in preparation for the Irish Amateur Open which started today. O’Keeffe has been a big fan of the event in Tralee and having finished second in 2016, he won the event last year. The Douglas man held the overnight lead after 36 holes. He was tied with Monkstown’s Sean Desmond who Continue reading
Gallery: Munster Seniors R2, Ennis Golf Club
Pictures from round 2 in Ennis: Continue reading
Fahy wins Munster Strokeplay
Dun Laoghaire’s Alan Fahy who won the Munster Strokeplay Championship at Cork Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Leinster’s dominance of the Munster Strokeplay continued yesterday when Dun Laoghaire‘s Alan Fahy became the fifth winner from the province in seven years. Claiming his first senior championship win, he had a very impressive second day in Cork, he was eight under for his final 36 holes. That helped him overturn a four shot deficit, and that was enough to hive him a two stroke win. Fahy shot an excellent 66 on Sunday morning to tie for the lead with halfway leader Robbie Cannon, and he was still level with the Balbriggan man after the final front nine. Although Fahy birdied the 16th, he felt he need more and was disappointed when a good putt on the 17th shaved the hole. With one chance remaining, the 20 year old Maynooth University student drilled his tee shot on the 18th, and he followed that with a superb 8 iron from 140 yards which finished five feet from the hole. A firm uphill putt hit the centre of the hole and he carded Continue reading
Cork Golf News 