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.
Fota Island Senior Scratch Cup
Sugrue starts 2018 with a win in Fota Island
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 Continue reading
Butler takes Top Golfer title in Fota Island
Kinsale’s Cathal Butler
Cathal Butler delivered a strong message on Sunday when he won the Top Golfer Senior Scratch Cup at Fota Island. The Kinsale and Maynooth University golfer announced his return to top level golf following a serious arm injury in August last year that could have threatened his participation at the top level.
Butler went around the Deerpark course in Fota in 67 strokes, four under par. James Fitzpartick (Mount Julliet) and Gavin Young (Nenagh) were next best with 72 and Lee Valley’s Pat Power was fourth with a 73. John Hickey and Hugh Foley Continue reading
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