Pictures from the four matches starting on the back nine this morning: Continue reading
Fota Island Golf Club
Howard wins Again
David Howard (Fota Island) in action at the Ford Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy recently. Picture: Niall O’Shea
David Howard racked up his second win of the year recently when he captured the Fota Island Junior Scratch Cup. Having won the Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy at the start of the season, Howard was runner up at Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup soon after. The Fota Island member kept up the run of good form this month with a win at his home course. While Fota was in great condition, heavy showers tried to dampen spirits and it certainly made scoring more difficult for everyone. Howard was the best on the day, shooting a three over par 74, one ahead of the field. Despite claiming to have a cold putter he had a few birdies, including a crucial one on the 18th which proved to be the difference. Now playing off a new handicap of 3, it might be the last Junior Scratch Cup for Howard for a while, and the impressive 20 year old has his mind set on lowering his handicap. He featured on the Fota Island Mixed and Senior Cup teams, and this week he’ll be in Junior Cup action in Castlemartyr.
It’s been a Continue reading
David Howard wins 300 to 1 challenge, Ford Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy
David Howard
It started with over 300 golfers, but by 5pm this afternoon there was just one left. David Howard added his name to a famous list of winners at the 50th staging of the famous Ford Junior Scratch Trophy. And in a funny quirk of the draw, the Fota Island golfer beat his dad John in a tight final to win the six round matchplay event. It was a strange setting, having the father and son paired against each other, but some high quality golf from both made for a competitive final, with David coming out on top. The teenager went up a few times in the match only to be pegged back by his Dad. The back nine was decisive with David winning the 13th and 16th to go two up. On the testing 17th, David found the green with a drive an nine iron, and when John couldn’t make birdie the match was over with David coming out on top. Needless to say the 19 year old was delighted with the win. “I’m very happy to win this scratch cup which has such a big name to it, it’s a Continue reading
Gallery: Ford Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy 2019 – Semi-finals
Pictures from the semi-finals in Muskerry: Continue reading
Donal McDonnell wins Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup
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.
Bank Holiday Opens to Kick Start Season
Liam Burns from Youghal reports that the course is in great condition
St Patrick’s weekend always marks the start of the golfing season, and this weekend a large number of Cork clubs are kicking off their season with the start of the open competitions. Youghal is one of those clubs, they are holding a three person champagne scramble over Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Youghal kept all 18 holes open through the winter but with members playing 14 or 15 hole competitions it meant that several holes were rested allowing for winter maintenance. A sanding programme was completed over the winter and the greens have been running true and quick over the past few weeks. The club recently concluded their spring league which ran over four weeks, and open and counting competitions will return for members and guests. The entry fee this weekend is just €20 and bookings can be made through Liam Burns in the Pro Shop on 024 92590.
Fermoy have brought a nice twist to their champagne scramble on Monday, the winning team will receive magnums of champagne. And with an entry fee of just €15 per person it offers some great value on the bank holiday. On Saturday Fermoy have an open singles competition for €20, and on Sunday you can play in the open two ball scramble for €20, and that includes a meal. Bookings can be made by calling the club on 025 31472. Fota Island have open events running over four days. From tomorrow through to Sunday you can experience the tour quality course and the famous clubhouse burger for €55 per person. On Monday there’s an open singles on the Deerpark Continue reading
Gallery: Irish Mixed Foursomes South Munster Final 2018
Pictures from Cork Golf Club: Continue reading
Nine Hole Membership at Fota Island
The driving range at the Fota Island Academy
Things rarely stay still in Fota Island and 2018 has brought about another positive move for the resort. Fota are now offering a new category of membership that gives golfers access to the tour level academy and playing access to the nine holes surrounding the academy. Often known as the new nine – although the holes are there for well over a decade – the layout wraps around the academy range and practice greens. While Academy members had the option to play the nine holes last year, the new development give them much wider access as well as the crucially important option to hold an official GUI or ILGU handicap. Fota Island Marketing Director Seamus Leahy explained that the 2018 development is part of an ongoing programme to bring the benefits of membership to a wider audience. “Effectively there is now a 9 hole CSS and we’ve seen significant interest in the membership. We see this as a five-year project to help grow and development new members – especially the time poor golfer” explained Leahy. “The higher quality product is more readily available, and the opportunity to bring the lessons learnt to a course environment is a big advantage. The existing academy members are Continue reading
Masters Special at Fota Island
Fota Island’s 10th Green
To celebrate the first golf major of the year, Fota Island are running an open singles competition all weekend, with a major prize on offer for the winner. Starting today and running through to Sunday, the open singles will take place on the Deerpark course, the setting for the 2014 Irish Open. Entry for the competition is €50 per person and the Masters on television in the clubhouse it’s a great way to start the golfing season. The first prize for the Masters weekend competition is membership to the Fota Island Academy for the season. The prize which is valid until December includes access to the incredible practice facilities in the Academy, regular ball credit, and access to the Barryscourt nine holes that surround the extensive academy grounds. There are other prizes on offer also, second place will win a custom fit session with PGA Professional Ronan Collins in the Academy’s state Continue reading
Gallery: AIG Junior Cup, Cobh Golf Club
Pictures from Cobh this morning: Continue reading
Cork Golf News 