Howard earns Ireland call up following South performance

David Howard had another good week on Golf Ireland’s Bridgestone Tour.  He reached the final 16 of the South of Ireland on Saturday, and in doing he looks to have earned selection on the Irish team for the upcoming Home Internationals.

Howard, who won his first major event in Baltray last month at the East of Ireland, backed up his impressive stroke play performance with six positive rounds in Lahinch.  The 26 year old opened with a lack lustre 75, the three over par round put him outside the top 80 with a second 18 holes to come.  The round could have been worse – after 10 holes Howard was five over but two late birdies gave him something to fight for.

Howard returned on Thursday afternoon and things didn’t improve when he was one over after nine.  The back nine again proved critical as Continue reading

Doyle wins Irish Boys title

John Doyle (Fota Island) Picture: ©INPHO | Bryan Keane

John Doyle went wire to wire in Cork Golf Club as the Fota Island golfer produced a commanding performance from start to finish on the south coast as he was crowned the 2025 Flogas Irish Boys Amateur Open Champion with a four shot victory.

Having come into the final day with a five-shot lead over his nearest rivals, the 17-year-old showed no signs of letting his advantage slip and although he finished one over par for his final round it was enough to see him take the title in comfortable fashion.

“I’m delighted”, said Doyle.  “I really wanted to win this one ever since it got scheduled that it was on in Cork it was on the list of, I really wanted to win this, and it feels great. It’s kind of sinking in a bit now.”

Doyle opened his championship with a stunning seven under par 65 from the back tees in Little Island.  He followed this with a solid two under par 70 in much tougher conditions on day two, but it was his third and final round where the Cork native showed maturity beyond his years as he plotted his way around the course, opting for the safe play, hitting irons off the tee where required.  Added to his strategic play, Doyle’s power off the tee was also on show, with drives touching almost 350 yards on the 11th and 14th holes.

“Those two days put me in a really good position, kind of took a bit of the stress out of today”, said Doyle on the third day.  “Going in with a bit of a lead you know you can play a little bit more conservative and take a lot of the danger out of some holes.”

William O’Riordan (Greystones) and John William Burke (Ballyhaunis) were Doyle’s closest challengers as the final round got underway but a birdie on the second helped settle any early nerves and extend Continue reading

Murphy & Doyle selected for GoIf Ireland High Performance Panel

Jack Murphy (Douglas) pictured during the Irish Boys Close Championship at Monkstown Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

The Golf Ireland Underage High Performance and Performance Development coaching panels for 2023-24 have been selected with two Cork golfers making the Boys Under 18 panel.  R&A Boys’ Amateur leading qualifier Jack Murphy (Douglas) along with Irish Boys Close winner John Doyle (Fota Island) are among the 12 selected, that also includes European Junior Ryder Cup bolter Sean Keeling (Roganstown) will look to have another outstanding year as part of the Under 18 Boys Continue reading