Cian McNamara

Monkstown’s 180 hole Challenge

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Cian McNamara Jul 2019Monkstown Golf Club are hosting a unique challenge on Saturday, two golfers will try and complete 180 holes in one day. Monkstown’s Club Professional Cian McNamara and General Manager Brian Hurley have set themselves the challenge to play ten rounds of golf in one day. Playing under the rules of golf, and counting both scores, the pair will be walking the course adding to the difficulty of the task. Starting at 4.30am on Saturday morning (28 minutes before dawn!), the challenge is expected to last well into the evening, and with no guarantee of success the two PGA Professionals will have a long day ahead of them on Saturday. The only other similar feat in Cork was completed by Lee Valley’s Denis O’Brien who completed seven rounds at the Clashnure course in Ovens well over a decade ago.

While other similar challenges have been completed in the US, the ten round target is a unique event in Ireland. The event is a fundraiser for the Monkstown Cups and Shields teams, and give that the Club Pro and the GM are doing all of the hard work, it’s not surprising that many of the club members have jumped in to sponsor the holes. All 180 holes in the challenge are now sponsored and with Ronan Murphy’s Smarttech 24/7 joining in as the main sponsor for the event, the club is well on the way to achieving the €10,000 target they set for themselves.

The event has become a real talking point in Monkstown, with many golfers question the reality (and sanity) of trying to complete the 180 hole challenge. That said there’s a great atmosphere around the fundraiser and a large number of members and supporters are expected to come out to cheer on the two golfers on Saturday. While there won’t be too many out for the 4.30am start, it is expected that the crowds will build, especially on Saturday evening.

Howard runner up in Irish Club Professional at Dromoland

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Jack Howard (Fota Island)Jack Howard finished runner-up in the Irish Club Professional Tournament in Dromoland last week, losing out to Damien McGrane after a play-off.  Howard, representing Fota Island shot a four under par 68 to lead the tournament.  That included important birdies on the 17th and 18th to get into a tie for the lead.  It was in impressive round from Howard in a strong field, and it included seven birdies.  At the end of the round the two leaders were tied on -4, and unlike other PGA events it was on the a play-off.  After halving the first play-off hole, McGrane put the pressure on by hitting the green on the short par four 10th.  When Howard missed his 12 foot birdie attempt the former European Tour winner tapped in or birdie to claim the title.

Davey Barry and Shane Irwin were the next bet placed Cork golfers, they both carded one par rounds of 73 to get a top ten place, while Cian McNamara and David Ryan were three back in a share for 24th place.

While Jack will be disappointed at missing out on the win, there are several positives.  As well as the prize money for second place, the high placed finish means that the 22 year old will now be able to enter several of the high profile events as the Irish Continue reading →

McNamara in touch in PGA Professional Championship

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Cian McNamara_1Cian McNamara is just two shots off the lead in the PGA Professional Championship at Little Aston.  The Monkstown man produced rounds of 67 and 69 to reach the halfway stage on -8 and tied for 4th place.  McNamara is on a run of good form and had 13 birdies over the two rounds to put himself in a position to claim the £10,000 top prize.  McNamara has finished in the top ten last year and will be hoping for another decent payday this year.  David Higgins is just outside the top ten on -6 and Headforts Joe Dillon is just one off the lead on -9.

The original field of over 120 golfers has now been reduced to 50 (top 40 plus ties) for the final two rounds.  The third round plash is currently underway and with a majority of the golfers on the course under par it should be an interesting moving day.

 

 

McNamara through to DDF Irish Open

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

 

Cian McNamara_Monkstown Golf Club_Sept 2017

Monkstown’s Cian McNamara pictured at his custom fitting bay at the range in Monkstown Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Cian McNamara booked his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week with a dramatic playoff win this evening in Rosapenna.  The Monkstown professional was tied for fourth place after the opening round, and at the end of 36 holes he was tied with tour professional Kevin Phelan for the fourth and final qualifying place.  It was the Limerick native who won through in the play-off.  After halving the first playoff hole, Phelan’s approach to the second found the rough and two putts meant that he carded a five.  McNamara was on in two with around 30 feet for birdie.  He rolled his birdie putt up to less than two feet and tapped in the par to win the final place.  He now faces a tough decision on whether to travel to St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday for final qualifying for the Open Championship in what’s sure to be a busy week.

Simon Thornton won the event and claimed the top prize of €6,000 a well as a Continue reading →

More to do for Cork crew in Rosapenna

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Cian McNamara_1Cian McNamara and James Sugrue have a solid chance of making the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after the opening round of the Rosapenna qualifier. McNamara shot a three under par round of 69 to lie in 4th place at the halfway stage.  After a bogey on the 5th he came back in four under par, with a final birdie on the 17th to get himself back into contention.  James Sugrue is two shots back on -1, and currently in 10th place.  Sugrue had an interesting round, made up of seven birdies and six bodies.  irrespective of what happens tomorrow both golfers will travel to the UK from Donegal to take part in final qualifying for the British Open.

Jack Howard is tied for 15th on +1, Davey Barry and Padraig Dooley are both tied for 25th place after rounds of 75 (+3).  Given that the best scores today were -5 it’s unlikely that Continue reading →

McNamara claims second win in Cork, Munster PGA Winter Series

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Cian McNamara Munster PGA Feb 2018

Cork’s Peter Hickey congratulating Cian McNamara on his win the Munster PGA Winter Series event in Cork Golf Club Picture: Niall O’Shea

Despite the cold weather, the Munster PGA got the second half of their winter series off to a great start on Monday in Cork Golf Club.  Twenty Pro’s braved the cold winds but the course in Cork was in great condition, and benefitted from the recent week of dry weather.  Munster PGA Captain Cian McNamara was the winner on the day, the Monkstown Professional shot a one under par 71 to record his second win of the winter series.  He turned on two under par thanks to birdies on the second, third and eighth, and he dropped a shot on the index one fourth hole.  A bogey also followed on the 10th but he parred the remaining eight holes to remain in the red and sign for a one under par 71.  After a break of a few months, David Higgins made his seasonal debut.  The Waterville man had a beak towards the end of 2017 and was in Barbados for a pro-am in January.  Although he carded an impressive 72 for second place, the form was mixed.  He had an uncharacteristic six bogies but that was countered with four birdies and an eagle.  David was joined on his team by brother Brian and dad Liam.  They returned an impressive Continue reading →

Super Q School Start for McNamara

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Cian McNamara_1

Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC)

Cian McNamara got his Q School adventure off to a great start today with a three under par 68 to finish inside the top twenty.  It was a very impressive round that saw the Monkstown based pro hole seven birdie putts.  McNamara was one of the last to play today in Golf d’HArdelot in France, and starting from the 10th he birdied his first and second hole.  A bogey followed on the 12th but two more birdies on 15 and 16 saw him move to -3.  McNamara was level for his final ten holes, but he did slot another three birdies on his way to signing for a 68.  The Limerick is tied for 12th place in a large group.

It’s McNamara’s first time back a Q School in three years and he’s been in good form coming up to the event.  He was part of the winning Ireland team at the recent TGI Cup in Lough Erne and he finished in second place in the Connemara Pro-Am last weekend (and won the team competition).  Now as head pro in Monkstown, Cian has entered a new phase and his former full-time playing schedule has been curtailed.  That said he was very both confident and comfortable when looking forward to his trip to France.  “My reasons for entering Q School are actually very simple. I still think I can play” explained McNamara, a former elite amateur and South of Ireland winner.  “I’ve understood as the years have gone on that time is moving quickly and I’ve responsibilities that I need to attain too but it is just something in the back of my head that keeps me awake a little longer a night.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity at Monkstown GC and can categorically say I’m really enjoying my role but when somebody has always wanted to achieve something and doesn’t quite get there I think we are all the same in saying “it bugs you”.  My fiancé Siobhàn basically convinced me and I’m delighted she has done that.   This may or may not happen this year but at least I’ve put myself forward and now it is just simply up to me.”

 

He has an earlier start tomorrow, he’s out Continue reading →

Q School Date for McNamara

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Cian McNamara_Monkstown Golf Club_Sept 2017Monkstown Head Professional Cian McNamara has an exciting event next week, he’s heading to France for stage one of the European Tour Qualifying School.  McNamara has spent well over three years in Monkstown and the Limerick native was appointed as Head Professional two years ago.  Prior that he was effectively a full-time player on the Irish PGA circuit.  After a year in Monkstown an opportunity arose to become head pro, and in the past two years Cian has grown into the prestigious position.  It was a big change for Cian but one that has worked out.  “Things have changed dramatically for me over the two years.  I have far more responsibility now than I ever had in my life but I feel I am growing into the position and hope that members of the golf club feel that I am improving in the role more as time is going on” said Cian on Continue reading →

O’Keeffe leads the way in Moortown

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Home Internationals 2017

Peter O’Keeffe and Robin Dawson (Ireland) on the 4th tee during Day 2 Foursomes of the Home Internationals at Moortown Golf Club, Leeds, England. 17/08/2017
Picture: Golffile | Thos Caffrey 

There were mixed results for the Cork golfers in action in England and at home today.  Peter O’Keeffe recorded two wins today at the Mens Home Internationals, while Valerie Clancy won her first round match in the British Girls but lost in this afternoon’s second round.

It was a good day for Ireland at the Home Internationals in Moortown today.  Peter O’Keeffe combined well with Robin Dawson this morning to win an important foursomes match against Scotland.  The pair had lost yesterday so this morning’s result was a boost and came as part of a 4-1 win in the morning session.  He followed up this afternoon with another win in the singles.  O’Keeffe was one down at the turn but mounted a comeback and was two up after 12 holes.  He closed out his match on the 16th with a 4&2 win over Scotland’s Sam Locke.  Ireland now have a great chance to create history tomorrow, a winner takes all match with England give’s Ireland the chance to win the title for the fourth straight year.

Valerie Clancy was the only Cork girl to make it through to the matchplay stage of the British Girls.  Clancy made it though on the cut mark (+8) after the 36 hole qualifier and she won her first round match this morning, beating Celilie Nielsen 3&2.  She lost out this afternoon though, losing 2&1 to Mayka Hoogeboom.  Rachel Thompson and Continue reading →

McNamara wins in Delgany, PGA Irish Region

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

monkstown-pro-shop_seamus-power-clinic_101

Monkstown’s Cian McNamara was back in the winners circle yesterday after shooting a five under par 64 at the Delgany Pro-Am.  McNamara has been playing a reduced schedule this year, playing in three or four events each month.  Although not playing as much as some fellow professionals he racked up quite a few top five and top ten finishes this year and proving the Limerick native is still a threat on the Irish region circuit.  On Wednesday he teamed up with his assistant Shane Irwin and both qualified for the PGA Fourball Championship in Headfort, finishing in second place.

McNamara had a good start, he turned on -3 thanks to an eagle on the third and a birdie on the ninth.  Another birdie followed on the 10th but he handed back a shot with a bogey on the 12th.  McNamara had a strong finish with birdies on the 16th and 18th to sign for a five under par 64.  That was more than enough for the win, McNamara was two ahead of second placed Damien McGrane and Daniel Beattie.  It’s a busy week for Cian, he is back in action today at the Beaverstown Pro Am in Donabate.