There were three Cork winners over the weekend, David Howard and Gary O’Flaherty won scratch cups in East Cork and Muskerry while Karen O’Neill won the Castletroy Scratch Cup.
Four birdies helped first time winner O’Neill to finish one under par in Castletroy, and she was delighted with the win. “To be honest I’m delighted with the win, it’s my first win” said O’Neill after the victory. “I was actually in an accident back in October so I’ve been working hard over the last couple of months to get back playing so I’m delighted. I missed a short one for birdie on 3 then birdied 4 and 7, had a bogey on 9 then birdied 14 and 15. I stumbled over the finish line with bogeys on 17 and 18 but thankfully got it done.”
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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.
Donal McDonnell was the winner on Sunday, picking up his first Senior Scratch Cup title. Fota Island held their annual showpiece on Sunday, again in association with Top Golfer. There was a full timesheet for the event on the Deerpark course, and the three time Irish Open venue proved itself yet again as nobody could break par. Although the course was in great condition, it did play all of it’s 6,927 yards. Donal McDonnell from Monkstown was the winner after four players tied on 73. McDonnell took the title ahead of John O’Brien (Castlemartyr), Kieran Kennedy (Thurles) and David Howard (Fota Island). The Monkstown golfer is a regular on Monkstown’s successful Senior Cup team and has a provincial winners medal, Donal is also Junior Officer in Monkstown. This was his first senior scratch cup title and needless to say he was delighted with his win. Although he was four over par at the turn, McDonnell put together a great back nine. He shot two under for the second nine, and finished 3,3,4 which was crucial in terms of his placing for the countback. Although the top four were tied, John O’Brien took second place, Kennedy was third and David Howard was fourth. Howard had a busy weekend, on Saturday the four handicapper shot a 75 in Muskerry in the Ford Junior Scratch Trophy qualifier, and on Sunday he beat his handicap by two when he shot the 73. Anyone looking to play Fota this week can take advantage of their Masters Week specials, full details are available from the pro shop.
James Sugrue got his season off to the perfect start when he won the Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup last weekend. Having missed the West due to a family bereavement this was his first competitive start. After an impressive 2017, he was included on the Irish senior mens panel for 2018 and last weekend he set down an early marker. He needed a strong finish as he was two over par after 16, but a birdie on the par three 17th and the par five 18th got him back to level par and that was enough to secure the win. The birdie on 17 was unlikely, facing a very strong wind, Sugrue hit a three wood which went over the back of the green. He chipped in with the second shot to give him some momentum on the final hole where he found another birdie. Conditions were tough in Fota, the 7,000 yard Deerpark course played to all of its length in the unseasonal weather. Second place went to Kinsale’s Cathal Butler just one shot back. Jack Leacy from Dungarvan also finished on +1 and took third place with Daniel Rather (Dungarvan) finishing in fourth place. Mitchelstown’s Sean Leonard won 
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