David Higgins retained his PGA Irish Club Professional title in Dromoland today. The Waterville man shot a second successive 70 to win by three and ahead of a three way tie for second which included Colm Moriarty, Brian McElhinney and Richard Kilpatrick. Higgins had a steady round one birdie on the front nine was balanced by a bogey on the back nine as he eased to his first Irish Region win of the new season.
Cian McNamara carded a two under par 70 which tied for the low round of the day. He was level par for the front nine but an eagle 2 on the par 4 tenth hole got his round going. He birdied the 15th to get to -3 but a dropped shot on the last hole saw him finish on +5 for the tournament and take a share of 10th place.
Padraig Dooley added a 78 today after shooting a 73 yesterday, he finished two shots behind McNamara in 14th place. David Ryan was the only other Cork golfer in action in Dromoland, he shot a second round 78 to finish in the middle of the pack in 34th place.
“I was delighted with that today. With it being so windy there was disaster around every corner so I kept it steady and kept the big numbers off my card,” said the 44-year-old. “It was a great couple of days, fantastic weather and a spectacular setting for the course which was set up tough. It played a bit ‘linksy’ which was right up my alley and considering the course set-up and the high winds I was delighted to shoot level par.”
Higgins was happy to get off the mark today: “I’m delighted to get off to a good start. The standard is getting better each year on the Irish Region and every win is going to be crucial in the order of merit race. I was my first time to Dromoland, its a cracking venue and definitely worth a visit for any golfer.” Next up for Higgins is a EuroproTour even in Ballykisteen next week and then it’s on to the Roganstown Golf Hotel Pro-Am in Monday week.
As well as a busy schedule on the Irish Region tour, Higgins also has a place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and the links specialist is looking forward to July: “I haven’t played Portstewart yet but I hear it is a great links. I would love for the wind to blow really strong during the week of the open. I feel this would play right into my hands and give me my best chance of doing well.”
Local knowledge seemed to give two local golfers the edge in Cork today as Padraig Dooley (Drive Golf Performance) and David Ryan (Cahir Park) won the Munster PGA event. Over 20 golfers started out this morning and while there was a cold wind blowing through Little Island, the course was in great condition and surprisingly dry given the heavy rainfall over the weekend. Both golfers trained under Peter Hickey and they returned today to triumph over a field of talented professionals. Both golfers played very steady golf, Ryan was an early starter and had birdies on the 6th, 11th & 12th. The only blemish came on the 17th, but the two under par 70 was enough to get into the winners circle. It was a similar story for Dooley, he also birdied the 6th and the 12th. A bogey on the 14th brought him back to -1 but a birdie on the 17th saw him sign for a 70 and take a share of 
2016 brought lots of news from the major equipment companies. Nike pulled out of club design while having two of the biggest paid stars on their books, and TaylorMade was put up for sale by Adidas at a time when they dominated the Driver market. It was also the year that a few of the smaller and newer manufacturers made a breakthrough. Edel wedges and putters were one of those breakthrough brands and the custom made clubs are now available in Cork. Glanmire based PGA Professional Padraig Dooley has been known for his interest in clubs, and the mechanics and technology behind the clubs. Although the Edel brand made a big breakthrough this year, Padraig has been a fitter for the bespoke brand for well over a year and has helped over a dozen golfers to lower their scores with the unique fitting process. “I came across Edel 
Cork’s John Hickey will join a select number of Cork golfers this weekend when he takes part in the British Amateur Championship. Hickey will play Royal Portcawl tomorrow afternoon in the first of his two rounds. Hickey was third alternate when the draw was made a the start of the week and soon after he got the official call up. Hickey has had a solid start to the season, and is currently in the top ten in the Munster senior Order of Merit. He had good performances in the Munster Strokeplay and the East of Ireland.
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