Fota Island was where golf started in Cork over 140 years ago.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
While Fota Island can be regarded as Cork’s top championship golf location, not many people will know that the Fota was the site of the first record of organised golf in Cork. Golf in Cork dates back to 1883, when the first course in Cork was laid out on what was then known as the Smith Barry Estate.
Owned by Lady Barrymore who lived in Fota House, the course was a short nine-hole layout and was mainly used by the Officers of the British Army stationed in Cork. The course in Fota was the second recorded course in Ireland, after a course Continue reading
CIT Golf Club made a major announcement recently when they partnered with Fota Island Academy. The new partnership between will facilitate student membership at the Academy. The Academy at the famous Fota Island Resort makes an ideal base for the CIT Golf Squad, meeting their requirements with its excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. Along with this, as Academy Members the nine students have a weekly allocation of range ball credit and, most importantly they will have valuable access to on course practice with the inclusion of playing the nine holes on the Barryscourt course in their membership. Fred Twomey, the Munster GUI High Performance Lead Coach & CIT Golf Coach and Fota Island’s Director of Golf Kevin Morris arranged the new partnership together, with the initial approach suggested by CIT student David O’Sullivan, who 
For many people, Autumn marks the end of the golf season, but that’s not the case for teaching professional Ronan Collins. Ronan is based in the Academy at Fota Island and he’s looking forward to a busy off-season as many golfers will continue to work on their games over the winter months. Collins joined the team in Fota earlier this year and has had a great first season at the Academy. “I have loved my first summer in Fota Island, the warmth and support that I received from staff and members at the club has been fantastic” said Ronan on his first few months. “I’m looking forward to a busy winter season ahead with group lessons planned as well as new product releases It is always an exciting time of the year.” Having qualified in Monkstown under Batt Murphy, Collins is now a seasoned teaching pro, and having spent time in teaching, retail and custom fitting roles, he’s now delighted with his move to Fota. “I find my job very fulfilling; I get to spend my day in top class facilities helping golfers improve their games in many ways” said Collins from his base at the Academy. “With some I see improvements through lessons and others I see improvements 
Autumn is here and so too Golfest as Fota Island gets into the Oktoberfest spirit. Now in it’s second year, Golfest will be run on more than a dozen separate dates in October. For €59 golfers can enter the Oktoberfest competition and also avail a special meal after their round. Embracing the tradition of Oktoberfest the menu features chicken schnitzel, bratwurst with a sourdough baguette or venison hotpot. Dinner is served with a pint of Chieftain IPA, finishing off the Oktoberfest experience for golfers. All competitions will be held on the Deerpark course which successfully hosted the Irish Open in 2014. The best score registered at the end of the month will win the top prize of a custom fit set of Callaway Apex Irons. Dates and times are available throughout October and bookings can be made online or by contacting the Pro Shop in Fota Island. The competition starts next week with times available on Thursday and Friday. Last year the resort ran a similar event, with a top prize of a trip to Munich for the overall winner. Despite a huge number of entries and stiff competition, the top prize went to Billy O’Donovan from Dunmore Golf 
Fota Island Golf Academy is opening its doors to keen golfers for the week between 9am and 4pm allowing guests to experience the finest and most comprehensive golf training facilities in the country. Always innovating, Fota Island recently launched a new membership package for their Academy which for the first time incorporates playing rights and access to the course. The new package will be unique in Munster, in addition to full access to the extensive practice facilities members will also have access to the nine holes on the Barryscourt course that wraps around the Academy. Ideal for those who want to improve their game, the Fota Island Golf Academy offers a sophisticated analysis of swing, putt and technique, as well as excellent, comfortable and relaxing surroundings and invaluable advice from PGA Professionals along with 
Cork Golf News 