Some of Ireland’s top amateur golfers are heading for Lee Valley this weekend for the Mardyke Arena Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup. The 54 holes competition has been running since 2009 and has consistently attracted a top class field. One of the key measures of the success of the event is that at least 11 participants have turned professional since it started in 2009. They include 2009 winner Shane Lowry who played in The Masters recently and 2014 winner Rory McNamara who turned professional shortly after winning last April. Continue reading
Lee Valley
Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup Drawsheet
CGI/Mardyke Arena Golf Club Seminar at Lee Valley Golf Club
CGI/Mardyke Arena Golf Club Seminar at Lee Valley Golf Club
By Niall O’Shea
The newly formed Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) were out in force last week at the Irish Open, giving over 800 free lessons in their customised driving range at the Irish Open. The CGI were also in Cork earlier in the week to host a business planning seminar for golf clubs. The event was jointly hosted by the CGI and Mardyke Arena UCC and it took place in Lee Valley Golf Club. Continue reading
East Cork beak Cobh hearts
East Cork beak Cobh hearts
By Niall O’Shea
East Cork broke Cobh hearts again last weekend as they progressed from the Pierce Purcell qualifiers at Mahon. On Saturday they accounted for hosts Mahon and on Sunday morning they beat Monkstown. On the other side of the draw Cobh beat Castlemartyr, Fermoy and Mallow to advance to the venue final. It was the same match up as the Bruen qualifier two weeks ago but Cobh started brightly and held the advantage through most of the afternoon. Continue reading
Shane Lowry looking forward to return to Cork
Shane Lowry looking forward to return to Cork
By Niall O’Shea
Shane Lowry winning the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup in 2009
Former Irish Open Champion Shane Lowry is looking forward to returning to Cork next month as Fota Island plays host to the Irish Open. Lowry won on his last two occasions playing competitive golf in Cork. In 2007 he won the Irish Close at Cork Golf Club, beating local hope Niall Turner. In 2009 he won the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup, the first year it had been expanded to a 54 hole competition. The Lee Valley was Lowry’s final won as an amateur in an amateur competition. Continue reading
Senior Scratch Cup Order of Merit
McNamara wins at Lee Valley
McNamara wins at Lee Valley
By Niall O’Shea
Headfort’s Rory McNamara won the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup over the weekend, and added his name to a prestigious list of past winners. Reigning champion Gary O’Flaherty was in the running right up to the end. He held the joint lead with McNamara as they both finished on -2 after Saturday’s 36 holes. Continue reading
Monkstown and Charleville win new Competition
Monkstown and Charleville win new Competition
By Niall O’Shea
A brand new annual competition was started in Lee Valley last Friday as the first staging of the Captains Cup and Presidents Cup took place. 2013 Lee Valley President Patsy Ryan was the man behind the concept has he worked for some months to develop the concept. Each competition see’s the Captain team up with the Captain’s prize winner in a fourball competition with the winners claiming the Captains Cup. The same happens for the club President and his winner playing for the Presidents Cup. Continue reading






