Greenkeeping

Simon’s new job in Cork

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Simon O'Hara_Cork Golf Club_May 2019

Simon O’Hara

Simon O’Hara took as the Course Superintendent in Cork Golf Club last year, and the Currabinny native is relishing the new role in the famous Little Island links.  Having worked in Fota Island for close to 20 years, O’Hara was an ideal candidate to take over from Anthony Gillis who retired last year.  While the move was from one island to another, O’Hara has had an interesting journey to get to Cork.  “I have had a fortunate life, a great upbringing in Currabinny, Co. Cork, with lots of outdoor pursuits; sailing, swimming, fishing, and lots of sports” explained Simon, “I was given a great appreciation of nature and landscapes by my artistic Parents, Anna and Patrick.  Whilst I always wanted to work outdoors, the path was not so obvious, but during my early college adventures, I had the great fortune to be introduced to golf by Continue reading →

Sawgrass Memories for Alex

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Alex Newwnham_2Alex Newenham embarked on the dream greenkeeping assignment recently when he travelled to Florida for the Players Championship at Sawgrass.  Alex attend the PGA Tour event as one of seven representatives from Britain and Ireland, and it was the trip of a lifetime for the Douglas greenkeeper; “Needless to say the whole experience from start to finish was incredible and without wanting to use every cliche going that we hear so much on the X-Factor it was life giving and changing.  I found it a worthwhile experience – professionally and personally.”  The 12 day trip was a working holiday, with the team of visiting greenkeepers working as part of the 70 plus team on duty, and Alex described the schedule: “The working day was hard, not because of the actual work itself because there is such a team environment that others keep you going when you’re struggling, but because of the length of it and in my case the Continue reading →

Alex set for Sawgrass

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Alex Newehham Mar 2019

Alex Newenham

Alex Newenham from Douglas has landed one of the biggest “busman’s holidays” in golf, as he has been selected to work as part of the course team for The Players Championship at Sawgrass in Florida next week.  While many golfers would love the chance to attend a tour event, Alex will get an inside the ropes experience at the event that’s known as the fifth major.  John Deere, the machinery providers in Sawgrass have worked with the greenkeeping bodies in England and Ireland (GCSAI) to give seven greenkeepers an opportunity to work at the showpiece tour event.  Alex, who has worked in Douglas Golf Club for the past 14 years, was selected following an application and interview process completed late last year.  His reward is a 13 day trip to Florida, taking in eight days at the Players.  “This is the sixth year of this partnership and is open to all members of the GCSAI to apply” explained Alex.  “I applied last October and was fortunate enough to be shortlisted along with three others for interview in November.  I was so delighted later on that day to receive word that I had in fact been chosen to represent the GCSAI this year in Sawgrass.”  Alex is one Continue reading →

Con on the Course – Fota Island Irish Open

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Con is in Charge in Fota

Fota Island_Con O'Driscoll_Apr2014

By Niall O’Shea

Walking around the Fota Island Resort this week, you’d be mistaken for thinking it’s just another year at the prestigious Cork golf course,  The pro-shop is busy, as is the clubhouse, a society prepares to head out and there’s about six people practicing in the Academy.  All in all it’s pretty standard for the championship resort.  But Fota is right in the middle of preparations for the Irish Open which take place from 18th to 22nd June.  While it’s business as usual as far as any of the golfers are concerned, the course staff are busy working with a plan to deliver the course in perfect condition for the tour professionals in June.  It’s 12 years since the European Tour event last took place in Cork and for many of the professionals that were in tour in 2002, they’ll notice a few additions.  While the Deerpark course is still the same, the hotel and lodges are new, the additional nine holes are new and the Academy is now.  All of the developments were opened between 2006 and 2007 and now Fota Island stands out as the premier golf resort in the south of the country. Continue reading →