Monkstown Golf Club

Monkstown Houour Long & Barrett

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Jim Long, President Golf Ireland and Greg Barrett, President IRFU pictured with Monkstown Officers Jane O’Hagan, Martin Walsh and Anthony O’Sullivan after they received a presentation from the club.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Monkstown had a special celebration last week when they honoured two longstanding members.  Jim Long and Greg Barrett are members who are both serving as president of national sporting bodies.  Long is Golf Ireland President while Barrett was recently appointed as President of the IRFU.

Both Long and Barrett have distinguished records when it comes to supporting their sports from the administrative side.  Long was involved at a provincial level for over two decades, holding delegate and officer positions on the Munster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland.  He was elected Chairman of the Munster Branch in 2016 and became the Chair of the Munster Regional Executive in 2021 after Golf Ireland was Continue reading →

Douglas and Monkstown win Munster East Titles

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They had to travel outside Cork to win, but Douglas and Monkstown both tasted success in boys inter-club events recently.  Douglas travelled to Waterford on Saturday to play Faithlegg at home in the Munster East final of the Fred Daly Trophy.  Playing the hosts was going to be a tough assignment but with a full panel available, Douglas would have been confident when heading East.  They had Continue reading →

Monkstown Academy Opens

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Monkstown Golf Club range and front nine overlooking Cork Harbour.  Pic: Niall O’Shea

Monkstown Golf Club recently unveiled their latest development, and new practice range and teaching academy.  The golf club has invested in a number of capital projects over the past two years and the newly opened range compliments the short game area which was opened last year.

The covered range was built at the northern end of the existing practice area, maximising the potential of the 320 yard area.  Monkstown General Manager Maurice O’Meara oversaw the project and while the opening date was a little bit later than planned, the finished product is a credit to the club and the team involved.  “The academy has exceeded all expectations and has been Continue reading →

Monkstown ProShop Team

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Cian McNamara, Shane Irwin and Shane Livesey pictured at Monkstown GC Pro Shop.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

The short game area and the new academy has been a real boost for the team of PGA professionals who work in Monkstown.  The club has a long history of great club professionals including Peter O’Hare who started in 1908 when the club was founded, Jack Higgins, David Brown, Jim Higgins and Finbar Condon.  Batt Murphy will be known to many having served as club pro for several decades.  Starting in 1974, the popular pro had almost 40 years service before his retirement.  Morgan O’Donovan took over from Batt in 2010, and was an instant hit with members.  Unfortunately Morgan passed away in  2012 after battling a long illness.

Monkstown PGA Professional Cian McNamara pictured in the teaching and fitting bay at the new academy and range. Pic: Niall O’Shea

The current pro shop team is comprised of three PGA Professionals.  The team of thee is led by Limerick native Cian McNamara who has spent the last ten years in Monkstown.  Cian was and Irish International and a South of Ireland champion as an amateur, as well as spending three years in East Tennessee with Seamus Power.  Over the last decade Cian has built a great reputation as a Club pro.  As well as operating the proshop, Cian is busy teaching members, guests, teams and Continue reading →

Tom Egan remembered in Baltray

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The Egan family at Co Louth.  Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey

Monkstown’s Tom Egan was remembered in County Louth last week, his family visited County Louth Golf Club to commemorate their late father’s record East of Ireland win at Baltray in 1962.

Egan won the East of Ireland Championship at the famous links course and also set a world record at the time of eight birdies in a row in an official competition.

With an invitation from Bridgestone Ireland, Golf Ireland’s order of merit sponsor, some of Tom’s family returned to Baltray to play the course, and to make a commemorative presentation to the Co. Louth Golf Club.

Frank Egan, who works Continue reading →

Walsh & Hegarty win Munster Womens Championhsips, No joy for Cork in Co Sligo

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Paula Walsh, Doneraile who won the Munster Women’s Senior Championship. Pic: Golffile, Golf Ireland

Doneraile’s Paula Walsh claimed her second Munster Women’s Senior Amateur Open Championship after a thrilling playoff win in Monkstown.  Walsh shot a 69 in the 18 hole event to hold off the challenge of Lisa Cullen, Aideen Walsh and Lauren Kelly who all finished just one stroke behind.

The Corkonian, who also won this title in 2017, was level par for her front nine and despite birding the 11th she dropped back to level again before the crucial birdie on the last.  This victory is also a huge early season boost for Walsh’s claims in the Bridgestone Order of Merit.  After securing the silverware in Monkstown, Walsh is excited about what lies ahead for the rest of 2023.  “I’m delighted to win. It’s a great win and my second time winning the Munster Championship,” said Walsh.  “It’s good to get off started in the

Continue reading →

Cope Alliance launch 46th season

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One of Cork’s most impressive golfing groups have finalised plans for their 2023 season.  The Cope Golf Alliance is now in it’s 46th year and the group plan to have another busy year where as well as plenty of golf, they’ll also continue to raise funds for Cope Foundation.  Since the late 1970’s the alliance has raised  over €1.7million and this year they expect to add over €40,000 to that total.

Mens Captain James Doolan is looking forward to the season, his 20th year as a member.  “Everyone involved with the Cope Golf Alliance is looking forward to the 2023 season, which kicks off for the Ladies on April 3rd at Cork G.C., and on April 24th for the Men, at Monkstown.  The Alliance members are drawn from Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry Golf Clubs.  Because the four clubs give their courses free of charge for Alliance competitions, the entire amount collected from members (€75 each), goes to the COPE Foundation.  We also have generous, long-standing sponsors who take care of the prizes for each outing, and at our recent AGM, we presented a cheque for €43,500 to the Cope Foundation.” Continue reading →

Desmond takes home win at Senior Cup Alliance

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Sean Desmond made the most of home advantage in Monkstown on Saturday, he shot one under in testing conditions to win the second senior cup alliance event.  Desmond produced a great display of golf to finish one under and one shot ahead of the field of over 30 golfers.

Desmond eagled the par four fourth hole and followed that with a birdie on the fifth which was playing really hard in the cold wet conditions.  He did give tow shots back to the course on 6th and 8th, but he played very steady golf on the way back to finish as the only player under par.

Muskerry’s Stephen Riordan finished in second place on level par, he’s just back from the Faldo Series Grand Final in Dubai and the warm weather practice is still paying dividends for him.  Jack Murphy from Douglas took third place with a two over par 60 and Conor McDowell and Robbie Walsh were next best on 61.

This was the second event in the series, James Walsh was the winner on Muskerry last month.  The competition for members of Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry was created to keep a competitive aspect for inter-club players through the winter months.  The next event is scheduled for Cork Golf Club on Saturday 3rd December.

 

Cork Senior Cup Alliance (Monkstown)

1 Sean Desmond (Monkstown) 57

2 Stephen Riordan (Muskerry) 58

3 Jack Murphy (Douglas) 60

4 Conor McDowell (Monkstown) 61

5 Robbie Walsh (Douglas) 61