Jack Howard from Fota Island with the new TagMarshal devices
Everyone knows that pace of play, more commonly described as slow play, is a big problem in golf, and Fota Island is the first Cork course to introduce a new technological aid to help manage this issue. The five-star resort is one of the first courses in Ireland to launch the groundbreaking Tagmarshal system. The new system provides and easy way to monitor every group on the course. A small gps unit is given to each group when they start, and the unit reports back to a base station in real time, collecting live information on the pace of play. The base station (which is actually an iPad) relates the live information to the bank current and historic information. Using data analytics and advanced algorithms, the system creates a heat map which identifies areas on the course where delays are likely to happen. As the system tracks golfers in real time, any group that’s out of position can be easily identified. Prior to the use of this technology, many courses including Fota Island would have used a course marshal. While a roving course marshal will have a good understanding of 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 
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