Sean Leonard discussing options with Clem Leonard. Pic: Niall O’Shea
Mitchelstown teenager Sean Leonard won the Ford Junior Scratch Trophy in Muskerry this afternoon, completing Cork’s toughest test in golf. Leonard won all six of his matchplay games over the past three days to win the famous trophy.
This morning he beat Muskerry’s Michael O’Callaghan and this afternoon he beat another Muskerry man, Bernard Twomey. Leonard had a good start, going three up after 8 holes, but Twomey cut the deficit to just one hole by the time they had reaches the 13th tee. Leonard hit back with some very impressive golf, and won the next three holes to close out the match on the 14th, winning on a scoreline of 4&3.
Gallery: Ford Junior Scratch Trophy Semi-Finals
The last nine weeks have been challenging for Cork’s golfing community, to borrow a phrase from Muskerry, it started with Abigail and continues with Imogen. The past two months have been unprecedented in terms of the disruption caused by the weather. While a bit of frost and even snow might be expected, the volumes of rainfall have effectively shut down the business of golf across the county and beyond. While course and clubhouse damage has been minimal, the disruption has been severe. Courses, bars and restaurants and pro-shops have all been affected, with courses in particular seeing footfall drop to close to zero since November. Muskerry is a case in point, the ladies club has completed just one competition since November with eight consecutive cancellations since the start of December. The Men’s club in Muskerry hasn’t fared much better with seventeen competitions cancelled since November. It’s not all bad news however as the club has succeeded in growing it’s 
Niall Turner completed his first year back on the Asian Tour with a top five finish at the season ending Phillipine Open. After two years on the Asian Development Tour, Turner earned a full card by finishing third in the Order of Merit last year. Turner had already secured a full tour card for next year, but he went on to card three rounds in the 60’s for a high placed finish in the rain shortened event.
Cork Golf News 