Douglas Golf Club

Byrne named on Palmer Cup team for Lahinch

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Sara Byrne pictured at Douglas Golf Club with the Irish Women’s Close Trophy in 2023.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Douglas golfer Sara Byrne has been named on the international team to play in the prestigious Palmer Cup which takes place in Lahinch in July.  The announcement came late on Tuesday and the 22 year old Senior was delighted with the news.

“Being selected was such an honour” said Byrne.  “It’s been a goal of mine for the last couple months to really perform and give myself a chance to make the team especially having it Continue reading →

Cope Alliance rase over €40,000

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The Cope Golf Alliance had another successful year in 2023, and recently held their AGM where the cheque was presented to the Cork charity.  Since the late 1970’s the Alliance has raised over €1.7million, and last year they added another €43,500 to that amount.

The Alliance is in its 47th year, and each year the members raise a huge amount of money.

There are close to 500 members of the Alliance and membership is highly valued by each of the members.  It is limited to 60 men and 60 ladies from each of the four Cork clubs, Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry, a rule which dates back to the founding of the alliance in 1977.

The four clubs provide Continue reading →

Peter leading the fitness charge with Golf Strong

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Peter O’Keeffe running an online class from his  gym in Douglas Golf Club.

The frosty weather meant it was another week of little or no golf around the courses of Cork, and while many golfers are disappointed not to be able to play because of the weather conditions, many are working on plans to improve their golf.  While the driving ranges are still open in most weather conditions, the gyms are definitely open and a growing number of golfers are focusing on the strength and flexibility to improve their golf.

Peter O’Keeffe has been working with golfers since 2015 when he started out under the Peter O’Keeffe Golf Fitness brand.  That evolved into Golf Strong, a name that has now become the biggest golf fitness brand in the country.  In the early years Peter focused on individual assessments supported Continue reading →

Ann Heskin, a golfing legend

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Ann Heskin

A true legend of Irish golf passed away last week, Ann Heskin of Douglas, Munster and Ireland fame was an important and influential figure in the game for several decades.

Heskin had a positive impact on the game across three separate facets, she was an accomplished player, an astute team captain, and a committed administrator.  She represented Ireland as a player, team captain and selector, and she was President of the ILGU in 2005 following 15 years of service in provincial and national roles.  She was also a member of the executive of the Ladies Golfing Union prior to becoming President of the ILGU.

Her contribution to golf spanned over 40 years.  Originally she took up the game in the 1940’s but it was when she joined Douglas in 1963 that she Continue reading →

Grant wins Douglas PGA Open Series

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Douglas Golf Club hosted it’s first fully professional tournament in a few decades last week when the Irish Region PGA Open Series took place.  This was the only event to take place in Cork in 2023 and was the 35th event in a packed schedule of tournaments.  The tournament was played from the challenging par 70 Black Course, and with Douglas in great condition for the event, there was some very positive feedback from the players.

Despite playing 36 holes over two days there was a tie at the top.  Nicky Grant shot a second round 66 to get to -7 but Ryan Gribben had a six under par round for 64 to also get to -7.  Unlike most Irish Region events, there was no sharing of the win and Continue reading →

Byrne ready for KPMG Women’s Irish Open

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Sara Byrne 

Sara Byrne is bringing her summer in Ireland to a close in style this week, she’s playing in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open in Dromoland. Her invitation to play came as a result of her win in the Irish Women’s Close back in June, and she will tee it up in today’s first round alongside some of Europe’s leading professionals.
Dromoland has been working hard all summer for the LET event and the course is in great condition. With an enhanced spectator village, bigger grandstands and some fine weather forecast, it should be a great weekend at the Clare resort. A large number of Cork supporters are expected to travel Continue reading →

Douglas and Monkstown win Munster East Titles

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They had to travel outside Cork to win, but Douglas and Monkstown both tasted success in boys inter-club events recently.  Douglas travelled to Waterford on Saturday to play Faithlegg at home in the Munster East final of the Fred Daly Trophy.  Playing the hosts was going to be a tough assignment but with a full panel available, Douglas would have been confident when heading East.  They had Continue reading →

Pennant wins for Clonakilty, Douglas and Fota Island

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Fota Island, winners of AIG Women’s Junior Foursomes Munster East Final at Fermoy.          Pic: Niall O’Shea

Clonakilty, Douglas and Fota Island all claimed Munster East pennants over the weekend as more of the Golf Ireland Inter-Club finals took place.  Fermoy was the venue for five finals over the weekend, and the north Cork course was in great condition for the event.  Fermoy has been held in high regard as a finals venue for many years and they club delivered a great experience yet again for the travelling teams and supporters.  Occasional showers over the two days challenged the golfers and the spectators but the course held up and as usual the greens provided a tough but fair test for everyone.   Clonakilty made it two wins for Cork clubs when they defeated Slievenamon in the AIG Challenge Cup.

Clonakilty, winners of AIG Women’s Challenge Cup Munster East Final at Fermoy Golf Club.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Fota Island made it two wins in two weekends when the Women’s Junior Foursomes team defeated Youghal.  Paula Whitley and Suzanne Hickey put the first point on the board for Fota Island and the title was secured when Marissa O’Flynn and Theresa Roche won the final match.

Hopes of a second pennant for Fota Island were dashed with a dramatic 19th hole finish in the Flogas Irish Mixed Foursomes.  With the match balanced 2-2 the large crowd of spectators made their way to the first hole.  Their opponents, Co Tipperary Continue reading →