Bumper entry for Munster Strokeplay

Golf_Munster Strokeplay_Barry Anderson2_May 2014

2014 Winner Barry Anderson

A top class field has entered for the Munster Strokeplay which takes place at the end of this month and the cut looks like falling again from the 2016 mark of 0.5.  Entries for the showpiece Cork Golf Club event closed last night and there were no less that seven late entries that should qualify, four of those playing from plus handicaps.  Although all handicaps will need to be verified, it’s looking like the cut will fall at 0.3, with not all of those playing from this mark getting in on the first cut.

Tiernan McLarnon was one of the late entrants and he leads the handicaps, playing from +3.6.  There are over fifty golfers playing from plus handicaps including 24 who Continue reading

Munster Strokeplay closing date approaching

Munster Strokeplay Championship 2016

2016 winner Cathal Butler (Kinsale)  Picture: Niall O’Shea

The closing date for entries for the Munster Strokeplay Championshipis just a week away so it’s a timely reminder for anyone who wants to compete in Cork’s premier 72 hole tournament.  Cork Golf Club will again host the event, with the winner receiving the historic Cork Scratch Cup, the oldest scratch cup in the country.

Gallery: Munster Strokeplay 2016

Holder Cathal Butler (Kinsale) won the event last year after an exciting play-off win over Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty.  Butler has already entered, as has Kinsale’s John Murphy who won the Munster Student’s Championship in Cork GC this week.  This year the Munster Strokeplay is a counting event for the GUI Order of Merit (Willie Gill Award) and that should be an added incentive for golfers to travel to Cork for the May Bank Holiday weekend.  The event has been a WAGR counting event for several years, and it also counts towards the Munster Senior Order of Merit.  Last year there were over 50 golfers playing off scratch or better, and the indications are that a similar standard will be seen when the event gets underway on Saturday 29th April.  Peter O’Keeffe (+2.9), Ian O’Rourke (+2.6), Mark Power (+2.5) and James Sugrue (+2) head the entrants at present.  A total of 78 golfer will compete in the opening 36 holes, with the top 39 (plus ties) going forward for the second 36 holes on Sunday 30th April.

Munster Strokeplay Championship 2017 Entry Form

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Murphy Claims Munster Students Title

John Murphy Munster StudentsJohn Murphy claimed the inaugural Munster Students title in Cork Golf Club today, the Kinsale golfer won on the result at 36 holes after play was cancelled on the final day.  Snow and heavy rain rendered the course unplayable and after consulting with course staff, Tournament Director Dave Prendergast had no option but to cancel the final round with the results from 36 holes declared.  Murphy finished on a total of 138 (-6) for the 36 holes, four shots clear of James McVicker (Knock) who took second place.  Third place went to Cathal Butler (Kinsale), and holder Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) was fourth, both golfers also finished on -2.

It was Murphy’s second Munster title, the Irish Boys international won the Munster Boys title in 2016.  “It feels good, it’s a great start to the year” said Murphy.  “It’s a long season so it’s a confidence boost to get an early win.  Monday was a little disappointing, especially on the back nine.  Yesterday I was happy to be on -4 through 10 as I wasn’t playing my best.  I missed a few chances on the way in yesterday, I hit a poor tee shot on 16th but scrambled a par which kept me on track.”  His 68 in the second round tied for the lowest score on the day, keeping him ahead of the field.  Murphy has a busy few weeks ahead as the season gets into full swing: “I’m playing in St Andrew’s next week for the Bursar’s Tournament and then I’m playing in London in the Berkhamsted Trophy.  After that I’m Continue reading

Murphy leads Munster Students after second round 68

Golf_Fred Daly South QF_Kinsale_John Murphy_May 2015

Kinsale’s John Murphy 

John Murphy stormed to the top of the leaderboard on day 2 of the Munster Students Championship, thanks to an excellent 68.  He’s now four shots clear of the field on 6 under par.  68 was a popular number in Cork Golf Club today, with both James McKeever and Cathal Butler posting 68’s.  Butler will disappointed despite tying the low round of the day, he was seven under before carding a triple bogey on the 17th.  The Kinsale man dusted himself off and recovered with a par on the 18th.  Butler recorded six birdies and an eagle, with one bogey and the triple in the impressive round.

Murphy’s 68 was less dramatic four birdies and a bogey on the front nine saw him on -3 at the turn.  He added a birdie on the 10th and shot par golf for the remaining eight holes.  The four hole cushion gives him a big advantage going into the final round, but there are some quality golfers in the chasing pack.  Monkstown’s Sean Desmond is tied for 5th on level par and James Sugrue is just inside the top Continue reading

Murphy leads Cork Challenge, Munster Students Day 1

John Murphy April 2016John Murphy (Kinsale/MU) lies just one shot off the lead after day one in the Munster Students Championship at Cork Golf Club.  The Munster Boys champion finished on two under after carding four birdies and two bogies.  The lead is held by Stefan Greenberg (Tandragee) and David Foy (Laytown & Bettystown)on three under, while holder Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little/MU) is just one shot off the lead.

Sean Desmond (Monkstown/UCC) is in the top ten after signing for a one over par 73.  Desmond won a Munster Senior Cup title with Monkstown in Cork last August and the course clearly suits him.  The UCC student was four under through six holes but he dropped two shots before the turn.He had a mixed start to the back nine and a double bogey 15th meant that he signed for a 73.  Kinsale’s Cathal Butler is one shot back and also in the top ten.  He eagled the par five second Continue reading

Strong Field for Munster Students

Murphy & ButlerMany of Ireland’s top young golfers will be heading for Cork next week for the inaugural staging of the Munster Students Championship.  The newly named Championship replaces the Munster Youths and it features a new ladies competition along with a team competition.  Munster Strokeplay Champion Cathal Butler will be joined by Munster Boys Champion John Murphy, and the Kinsale golfers will lead the strong local challenge.  Both Murphy and Butler are representing Maynooth University and the home of the Harrington Scholars golf programme will travel in force.  Also wearing the MU colours will be Jack McDonnell won the Munster Youths title in Monkstown last year.  The team competition will see many colleges enter multiple teams, with the best two scores counting from the three person team.  In the ladies competition, local hopes will rest with Muskerry’s Jean O’Driscoll (UCC) and Douglas’ Aiofe Ni Thuama Continue reading

Cork win for Dooley & Ryan, Munster PGA

munster-pga-cork-feb-2017Local knowledge seemed to give two local golfers the edge in Cork today as Padraig Dooley (Drive Golf Performance) and David Ryan (Cahir Park) won the Munster PGA event.  Over 20 golfers started out this morning and while there was a cold wind blowing through Little Island, the course was in great condition and surprisingly dry given the heavy rainfall over the weekend.  Both golfers trained under Peter Hickey and they returned today to triumph over a field of talented professionals.  Both golfers played very steady golf, Ryan was an early starter and had birdies on the 6th, 11th & 12th.  The only blemish came on the 17th, but the two under par 70 was enough to get into the winners circle.  It was a similar story for Dooley, he also birdied the 6th and the 12th.  A bogey on the 14th brought him back to -1 but a birdie on the 17th saw him sign for a 70 and take a share of Continue reading

High Hopes for 2017

After a poor start, 2016 seemed to behave itself, so it’s fair to say that everyone is hoping for more of the same in 2017.  Last year will be year that is remembered as the year when membership and revenues stabilised.  While that was positive for clubs, it was also very positive for courses.  After six years of falling membership it was a relief for the industry and the recovery has started.

cork-gc-tweet-31st-dec-2016On course, 2016 had a very slow start with record rain-fall levels meaning that there was no play until late February.  After that though the season got underway pretty quickly, and the mild weather in the past three months has allowed clubs to catch up on the slow start.

The signs from clubs and courses are that they have moved from neutral to positive, with almost everyone driving on with their development plans.  Fota Island Academy have launched a new membership scheme which transforms the previous model, Lee Valley invested heavily in machinery and course inputs, as did many other clubs.  Cobh led the way with nine hole open competitions and Skibbereen offered an innovative pay and pay membership option.  Castlemartyr face into the new year after adding over 100 new Continue reading

Clubs support latest CGI Networking Event

cgi_14-dec-2016_2The lastest CGI Networking Seminar took place in Cork GC a few weeks ago and the event was a great success with full house present for the two hour session.  17 clubs from all over the county were represented, with managers, staff, captains, presidents and Officers making up the audience.  The CGI’s Gordon Campbell facilitated the interactive session and he brought a number of topics out for discussion.  Gordon gave several personal experiences from life before the CGI, as well an ideas collected from other sessions.  Feedback from the clubs was positive with many ready to workshop and implement some of the ideas that were discussed.  Gordon was delighted with Continue reading