Gary O’Flaherty, winner of the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup for the third time. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Gary O’Flaherty claimed his third Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup title today when he shot a steady level par round to maintain his lead and take the title. Starting with a two shot lead, many would have thought O’Flaherty would have needed a 70 or better. But the weather conditions in Lee Valley hampered everyone, and while the course was in great condition the harsh wind played a big role. Gary’s lead went to three after the second hole when Ronan Mullarney bogied, and he maintained that cushion through the remainder of the front nine. A bogey on the 7th was followed by a birdie on the par five 8th hole, and he turned a three shot lead. Tiarnan McLarnon was one of the early starters, he went around in 70 (-2) which would see him claim second place. The back nine proved a challenge for most with all of the leaders bar O’Flaherty dropping shots.
Gallery: Lee Valley Senior Scratch 2018 R3(2)
The results told a story about the conditions, of the later starters O’Flaherty was the only golfer to match par. Ian O’Rourke also shot a 72 while James Sugrue and Keith Crowley both signed for 73’s. Given the quality of the chasing pack it was thought there would have been a low score, but it never happened and O’Flaherty became the first person to win back to back titles since Continue reading
James Sugrue got his season off to the perfect start when he won the Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup last weekend. Having missed the West due to a family bereavement this was his first competitive start. After an impressive 2017, he was included on the Irish senior mens panel for 2018 and last weekend he set down an early marker. He needed a strong finish as he was two over par after 16, but a birdie on the par three 17th and the par five 18th got him back to level par and that was enough to secure the win. The birdie on 17 was unlikely, facing a very strong wind, Sugrue hit a three wood which went over the back of the green. He chipped in with the second shot to give him some momentum on the final hole where he found another birdie. Conditions were tough in Fota, the 7,000 yard Deerpark course played to all of its length in the unseasonal weather. Second place went to Kinsale’s Cathal Butler just one shot back. Jack Leacy from Dungarvan also finished on +1 and took third place with Daniel Rather (Dungarvan) finishing in fourth place. Mitchelstown’s Sean Leonard won 
Popular golf teaching Professional Ian Stafford was recently awarded the Fellow designation by the PGA. The Innishannon and Kinsale based pro has continued to invest in his continuing professional development and now becomes only the second PGA professional in Munster to hold the fellow status. Ian’s latest qualification was approved by the APAL process (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning). Each application is considered by the APAL Council which consists of longstanding PGA Members, representatives of the R&A, the golf industry, an advisor from the university sector and two PGA Senior Staff members. On the island of Ireland there are currently over 500 PGA Professionals only 12 of which currently have Fellow status, with Stafford being the youngest to reach Fellow level at 36. This follows on Ian’s qualification as a Level 3 Advanced Coach which he achieved in 2016, and his motivation stems from one of the cornerstones of his teaching. “As a coach I’m 
