Cork Golf Club were recently awarded the Munster Club of the Year award from Munster Golf. The club that was first founded in 1888 has been central to Cork and Munster golf for over 125 years and while the tradition creates a legacy, the club has continually evolved and developed to remain at the forefront of the sport. The Club moved to its present site in 1897, and in 1924 the world famous designer Dr. Alister MacKenzie redesigned the course. In 2010 – 2012 major alterations were carried out under Martin Hawtree to restore the MacKenzie design. Over the years the Club has hosted many major Amateur and Professional Championships over the years. Graeme McDowell won the Irish Youths in 1999. Shane Lowry won the Irish Close in 2007. The Club has won 14 national pennants and in 2016 won Continue reading
Cork Golf Club
Staff the key for Cork GC
Anthony Gillis receiving a presentation after 50 years service at Cork Golf Club
One of the keys behind the success of Cork Golf Club has been the staff. Cork has had a tradition of being a great place to work with many staff members holding long service at the Little Island club. General Manager Matt Sands came from Dublin close to 30 years ago to take up the role in Cork. Matt isn’t the only employee with long service. Anthony Gillis has worked in Cork for the past 52 years, moving through various roles to become the Course Superintendent, Matt himself has been in Cork for 28 years while Gerry Kenneally has run the restaurant and kitchen for 27 years. PGA Professional Peter Hickey has also worked in the famous course for over 20 years.
“I enjoy my role as General Manager in Cork Golf Club” said Matt. “I have worked here for nearly 29 years and can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of my time here. The esteem in which the club is held is evident when you travel away and also when you hear comments from the many guests who visit the club. The course has had major renovations carried out over the last number of years, it is always presented in good condition and very enjoyable to play. It is often called a hidden gem and having been designed by Alister MacKenzie the layout deserves the many accolades it receives.” According to Matt, the award capped off a great year for Cork that also saw them claim a coveted Munster Pennant. “Being named Club of the Year for 2016 at the recent meeting of Munster Golf has given everyone in the club a great boost. We have a team of 20 employed in the club, many with long service. 2017 will again see us hosting the Munster Stroke Play Championship, Our Pro Am and will also welcome many local, overseas visitors and Corporate events.”
Cork Celebrate team of 1991, Irish Junior Cup Winners
Cork Golf Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1991 Irish Junior Cup win recently, with Team Captain Tom Monaghan hosting a dinner for the winning team. It was a great way to round off 2016, as four of the panel from 1991 were involved with this year’s Barton team. The panel in 1991 was comprised of Gary O’Flaherty, Mark Ford, Brian Kelleher, Vincent Twohig, Mick Power, Mark O’Connor, Tony Duncan and John Carroll. The Captain in 1991 was George Dwyer and Michael Hurley (RIP) was President. Gary O’Flaherty set down an early marker during that campaign, the fresh faced teenager won eight matches out of eight in the campaign winning the first point for Cork in every match. Gary’s handicap Continue reading
Murphy Top 5 at Euro Team Championships, Cork Lose out in Barton semi-final
John Murphy (Kinsale) shot a level par 72 on the opening day of the European Boy’s Team Championships today. The competition is taking place in Czech Republic and Murphy was one of the later starters this morning and opened with birdie. He had three bogies on the front nine but turned on +1, two birdies and a bogey on the back nine meant that he signed for a level par 72 to lie in 5th place. It was a very good day for Ireland, Kevin leBlanc holds the lead on -4 and all six Irish golfers are in the top 20. Tomorrow will be an important day for the Irish, the second round of strokeplay qualifying will determine the matchplay draws with the top four countries playing-off for the Championship title.
Cork Golf Club put up a strong battle today against Warrenpoint, losing out on the 18th green in Continue reading
Cork Golf Club Senior Foursomes
Entries are currently open for the Cork Golf Club Senior Foursomes which take place on the 27th and 28th of this month. The 36 hole competition is open to gents aged 55 or over and the entry fee is €70. The competition is a popular event in the Cork calendar and has been running since 1988. The current holders are Micheal Quirke and Tom Cleary, Quirke is the Leinster Seniors champion and Cleary is the Irish Seniors champion. Gross and nett prizes are on offer.
Details are available from the club and booking can be made through this link
Cork face Warrenpoint in AIG Barton Shield semi-final
John Hickey & Paul Tobin pictured with Fergal Deasy in Muskerry last year.
Cork Golf have named two strong foursomes pairings for their semi-final against Warrenpoint in the AIG Barton Shield. With Gary O’Flaherty unavailable due to work commitments, team manager John Carroll has reverted to the 2015 pairing of John Hickey and Paul Tobin. They paired off last year in Muskerry winning two matches before losing out to Munster winners Muskerry. Tobin also featured in the South Munster phase when he partnered Mark Ford as Cork marched on to qualify for the Munster finals. Carroll has kept Brian Kelleher and Mark Ford together in the opening match, the pair blended well in the Minster finals at Cork Golf Club. Cork will face a strong challenge from the Warrenpoint who have Colm Campbell playing with them. Campbell is the reigning Flogas Irish Open and Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup champion, and he’s also a current Irish International. That said, Cork have every chance in the open space of the O’Meara Course in Carton House.
The first match on the O’Meara Course in Carton House gets underway at 10.48am and a large crowd is expected to support the team who go in search of their first green pennant since 1998.
Gallery: Cork win AIG Barton Shield Munster Final
AIG Barton Shield Semi-Final
Warrenpoint v Cork (Warrenpoint names first)
Paul Reavey & Jamie Fletcher v Brian Kelleher & Mark Ford
Colm Campbell & Stephen Coulter v Paul Tobin & John Hickey
Long Read: Cork Target All-Ireland Title
Cork Golf Club’s Barton Shield side look forward to the All-Ireland finals in Carton house next month
The Barton Shield is one of the most exciting amateur competitions on the calendar, the format is foursomes, and with just two pairs there is no room for passengers. Muskerry dominated the competition for the past two years but this year Cork made a breakthrough. They came through two weekends of matchplay golf, firstly to qualify from the 18 Cork clubs and secondly to get out of Munster. Now they look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final in Carton House next month. Cork started Continue reading
Final Heartbreak for Cork Ladies, ILGU Irish Senior Cup
After two convincing wins in the quarter-final and semi-final, hopes were high that Cork would lift the ILGU Irish Senior Cup today. And for a while it looked like a probability as Cork had the upper hand over Kilkenny. The final between Cork and Kilkenny was a very fluid affair, with the balance shifting on almost every hole. Kilkenny had a slight edge around the turn but Cork reversed the trend and were up in three matches and all square to lead 3.5-1.5 early in the back nine. The momentum shifted yet again though and this time Kilkenny didn’t let go. By the time the result was called in Kilkenny’s favour, Rachel Thompson was the only Cork player to win. That said, it didn’t reflect Continue reading
Cork Ladies through to Senior Cup Final
Cork Golf Club pictured after winning the Senior Cup Munster Final at Douglas.
Cork had two impressive wins today and booked themselves into the final of the Ladies Irish Senior Cup tomorrow.
Claire Coughlan Ryan overcame Fiona Moclair 5&4 and in the middle match, Paula Walsh secured a 6&4 victory over Claire Staunton. Cork’s Junior International Rachel Thompson added the final blow with a 2up win over past Senior International Mary Madden. The last two matches were called in, resulting in a 4-1 win for the Cork team. It was more of the same in the afternoon when Cork took on Milltown in the semi-final. Thompson (2&1), Walsh (5&3) and Coughlan Ryan (1up) all clocked up wins in the first three matches, putting Cork into the final. Cork will face the winner of Kilkenny and Clandeboye which is still on the course. Kilkenny are leading and look like going through. The finals are taking place at Greystones Golf Club.
BALLINASLOE 1 CORK 4
Fiona Moclair (6) lost to Claire Continue reading
Wins for Monkstown & Cork but no joy for Fermoy; AIG Cups & Shields round-up
Cork Golf Club was a hive of activity over the weekend. With three pennants up for grabs, Monkstown, Cork and Fermoy went in search of glory. With the course in Little Island in great shape, there was some great golf on display. The Island was playing hard and fast, and the recent dry weather led a links like feel to the course. There were wins for Cork and Monkstown but it was a step too far for Fermoy as they lost out in their semi-final with Tralee.
Monkstown receive the Pennant for winning the Munster Golf AIG Senior Cup at Cork Golf Club. Picture: Thos Caffrey / http://www.golffile.ie
Monkstown won Munster AIG Senior Cup title for the first time on over half a century, beating Castletroy in an exciting Munster final. 12 months ago Sean Desmond won a dramatic match on the 20th green in Dungarvan to take Monkstown to a Senior Cup Munster Final. Limerick beat them that day in the final, but Sean Desmond was again the hero, this time claiming the winning point on the 18th. Desmond needed a point after Martin Poucher and Eoghan Long won their matches. Andrew McCormack and Mark Campbell won for Castletroy so that left it all resting on Desmond’s match. The 18 year old needed a half on the 18th to win the match and it looked doubtful when his second found the trees on the 18th. Desmond played a great recovery shot that saw his ball pitch short of the green and run on to 15 feet. Desmond calmly rolled the ball to less than a foot and that was enough to win the match and the crucial winning point for Monkstown.
Cork Golf News 