South of Ireland

Rain stops play in Lahinch, seven Cork golfers through to matchplay

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Lahinch LogoThe second round in Lahinch came to an abrupt halt today as heavy rain flooded the course causing the second strokeplay round to be abandoned.  With the first round scores counting, the top 64 cut fell at +2 with not all on that score qualifying.  Kinsale’s Eric Rumley was one of those to miss out, the countback from yesterday costing him a place in the matchplay.

The seven Cork qualifiers are James Sugrue (Mallow), Cathal Butler (Kinsale), Gary O’Flaherty (Cork), John Hickey (Cork), Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas), Sean Desmond (Monkstown), Gary Ward (Kinsale).  With drier weather forecast for tomorrow the organisers will be hoping to complete the two planned rounds.  The first round Continue reading →

Super 66 from Sugrue at the South

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AIG Senior Cup Area Semi Finals 2018Cork Golf Club Sunday 24th June 2018

James Sugrue

Defending Champion James Sugrue was among the pace-setters in Lahinch today as he marched around the famous links.  The Mallow man had six birdies and no bogies, he was two under at the turn and came back in four under par thanks to more birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 18th.  It’s been a few decades since anyone has retained the South of Ireland, and while James will not be of Sunday afternoon just yet – it does mean he’s still holding the form that saw him feature in several competitions in June and July.  Sugrue is in third place after Mark Power and Reece Black posted rounds of 65.  With the 36 hole strokeplay cut (top 64) currently around the +2 mark, it looks like all three golfers will just need a level par round or slightly worse tomorrow to book a place in the matchplay phase.

 

AIG Senior Cup Area Semi Finals 2018Cork Golf Club Sunday 24th June 2018

Cathal Butler

Kinsale’s Cathal Butler set the early pacewith a four under par round of 68.  That was despite being two over after his opening three holes.  It was a good day for several Cork golfers, Gary O’Flaherty joined Butler on 68 and John Hickey was two shots back on 70.

Gary Ward, Peter O’Keeffe and Sean Desmond are all in the clubhouse on level par, their currently in the top 40 and another similar round tomorrow should see them advance Continue reading →

Strong Cork Challenge in Lahinch, South of Ireland Day 3

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

AIG Senior Cup, Mallow Golf Club, Sunday 25thth June 2017Weather conditions in Lahinch were slightly better today as the opening two rounds of the matchplay got underway.  After two rounds there are still five Cork golfers involved, with two all-Cork clashes set for tomorrow morning.

Kinsale’s Cathal Butler and John Murphy made it through to the third round.  Murphy had a two hole win over his Munster team mate Andrew McCormack this afternoon while Butler won on the 18th against Robert Brazill from Naas.  Butler will face Peter O’Keeffe in the third round, O’Keeffe had wins today over two Limerick members, Owen O’Brien and Sean Poucher to book his place on the last 16.  Gary O’Flaherty will face James Sugrue in the final match tomorrow morning.  O’Flaherty needed all 18 holes this morning to beat Keith Murphy while this afternoon he dispatched Stephen Loftus 5&4.  Sugrue was the last player left on the course this evening and he wrapped up his match with Darragh Coghlan on the 17th.  With eight Cork qualifiers the hopes were high that someone might follow in Mervyn Owens footsteps and claim the prestigious South title.  After today there are still five with a chance.  Gary Ward won this morning but fell to Colm Campbell in the second round match this afternoon.  Two Cork qualifiers lost out in this morning’s first round.  Sean Desmond was handed a tough draw when he was put up against Conor O’Rourke from Naas.  The form book ruled and Continue reading →

Challenging Opening Day at South of Ireland.

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Cork’s interest in the South of Ireland Championship could be dramatically reduced tomorrow after a tough day of scoring for much of the field.  Mallow’s Paul McCarthy is the low Cork player, he shot a round of two over par for a share of 23rd place.  Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty is the only other Cork player inside the matchplay cut mark of 64, he’s +4 in 53rd place.

The CSS of 76 was a good indication of the difficulties faced by golfers on the famous Lahinch links during the opening day of play.  Several golfers recorded scores in the mid and high 80’s with two scores in the 90’s returned.

The second strokeplay round takes place tomorrow, with the top 64 going on to the matchplay stage.

<<South of Ireland Live Scoring from @ClubbAPP>>

South of Ireland Changes

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The South of Ireland will be played in a new format in 2015, a 36 hole strokeplay qualifier has been introduced over the opening two days of the competition.  The top 64 will then progress to the matchplay stages.  Ian Slattery, Captain Lahinch Golf Club, said “over recent years it has been very difficult to attract leading national and international amateur golfers to participate in the South due to a very packed and gruelling schedule of competitions around that time.  Continue reading →