10/25/2014

Club Profile - Castlemartyr

Castlemartyr Golf Course 

Nestled amid Cork's woodlands, Castlemartyr (Baile na Martra) is a destination richly steeped in Emerald Isle history and tradition. The castle from which the village of Castlemartyr takes its name was first built in 1210 by The Knights Templar, who were one of the most famous of the Christian military orders under the leadership of Richard Earl de Clare, more commonly known as Strongbow. 

In the centuries that followed, the lands changed hands many times, among its owners were Sir Walter Raleigh and Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork. It was under Boyle's stewardship that the construction of the magnificent Manor House took place in the 17th century. Painstakingly restored to its original grandeur, the Manor House now forms the centerpiece of the Castlemartyr Resort.


Other historical features include the unique Templar Cross, which composes the centerpiece of the Castlemartyr's Golf Club coat of arms. Following a rebellion in 1578, the Earl of Desmond James Fitzgerald had his estates forfeited to the Crown and awarded to Sir Walter Raleigh. Prior to Sir Walter Raleigh’s departure from Youghal on historic voyage to South American Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork acquired Raleigh's Estates. 

The Tomb of the third Earl of Cork can be found on the Estate.

The golf course is challenging and demanding and there are exquisite views and landscapes all aorund the course.



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Club History - Malahide Golf Club


Malahide Golf Club was founded in 1892 by the Irish landscape painter Nathaniel Hone, R.H.A. and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. 


Its original layout was a nine-hole Links course on the dunes at Malahide. Sadly, it quickly became obvious to the members that serious erosion from the sea threatened their course and, as early as April 1906, three holes were opened on an adjacent site. Six holes were retained on the seashore until the late 1920's when due to constant erosion the Club was forced to abandon the links and move entirely inland. 

This new golf course enjoyed a reputation as a charming and challenging layout with its famous Quarry hole and splendid views from the top of the course. However housing development in the popular Malahide area resulted in a move in 1990 to the current championship 27 hole complex, designed by Eddie Hackett, at Beechwood, Malahide. 

From its foundation Malahide Golf Club played a leading role in the development of Irish golf. Affiliated to the Golf Union of Ireland in 1896, the club's first Irish Champion was John Francis Jameson (of whiskey family fame) who won the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 1910. The club gained some notoriety in 1947 because, in common with several other golf clubs, it recognised ladies as full members. The GUI threatened to expel the club from the Union and, in April 1946, following the club's refusal to comply, it was expelled from the GUI. This situation remained until March of the following year, when the Club changed its constitution, amending the status of Lady golfers to that of associates - a situation which remained in place until 2001.

In more recent times the magnificent achievements of Tom Craddock, winner of many trophies including both the Irish Open and Close Amateur Championships, twice a member of the Walker Cup team and holder of numerous international and inter-provincial caps, have brought great distinction to the Club. The late Paddy Caul was also an exceptional player at international and inter-provincial level.

Recent distinguished members include Philip Walton, Walker Cup player, winner of the Irish, Scottish and Spanish Amateur Championships, 4-time Irish PGA champion, and hero of the European Professional Golfers win in the Ryder Cup at Oakhill in the U.S. in 1995.




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Golf Course Designers - J. Howes


Highlights for the JEFF HOWES GOLF DESIGN team include: Gowran Park Golf Course, Co. Kilkenny &ndash the company's first 18 hole project in Ireland was a particular challenge to design as the golf course had to be placed in and around the existing horse racetrack. 


The re-design of Fota Island, Cork in preparation for the hosting of the Murphy's Irish Open in 2001 and 2002 was Jeff Howes Golf Design next significant project. In 2006 Jeff Howes Golf Design added an additional 9 holes making Fota Island a 27 hole golf resort. 

Following on from Fota it was the restoration / upgrading of all the putting surfaces at Mount Juliet in preparation for the WGC American Express World Championships in 2002 and 2004 which preoccupied Jeff Howes Golf Design. 

The year 2004 saw The Heritage Golf & Country Club, Co. Laois - a co-design with Seve Ballesteros open to the public. It hosted the AIB Irish Seniors Open in 2005. 

International golf course designs include Golf Club Adamstal and Golf Club Foehrenwald of Austria and Thunersee Golf Course of Switzerland. 

Current projects include – Farnham Estate Golf Club, Radisson SAS, Cavan, Tramore Golf Club, Waterford and the Carrig Glas Golf Club, Longford, a co-design with Retief Goosen.

Westport GC, Dublin, Ireland
In February of this year Jeff Howes Golf Design remodelled the 13th green at Westport GC. Water ingress & poor turfgrass were the problems experienced by members & greenstaff. The remodelling process and the reconstruction of the green surface and immediate surrounds have eradicated these issues. Green was scheduled to open for play in May 2010.

Newlands GC, Dublin, Ireland
The Official Opening of the fully revamped course was in June, 2010. The main event of the day was a fourball exhibition match which included European Tour Professionals Peter Lawrie (Newlands Member) and Damien McGrane. There was a tremendous turnout of members to witness the opening by Peter Lawrie which was followed by refreshments in the clubhouse.
Farnham Estate GC, Cavan, Ireland

The 18 hole course at the Farnham Estate, opened to the public in April 2010 – the final element of the design – a practice putting green adjacent to the 1st tees was recently constructed and it is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2010.

Exploring New Markets - China
Jeff Howes has made two trips to China this year in a bid to enter this booming golf market.

Malahide, Dublin, Ireland
Malahide opened to great member acclaim in June of 2010. This 9 hole “Blue 9 Course” redesign project is the 2nd such project undertaken by Jeff Howes Golf design at the Club – the previous work involved the revamp of the “Red 9 Course”.
Tramore

Although the 3rd phase at Tramore GC is completed the course has yet to fully open all 27 holes. The last phase is due to open for play by members and the general public in August of 2010.

Jeff Howes Golf Design very recently completed the artwork for the Yardage Books of the 27 hole facility at Tramore GC and they will be on sale at the pro shop in the very near future.
Slade Valley, Dublin, Ireland

Slade valleys 3 hole extension has been in play for 6 months or so now and is proving a bit hit with the members. This 3 hole extension winding through coniferous woodlands offers some even more spectacular views of Dublin city & county to the golfer of this club.
Mount Juliet, Kilkenny, Ireland

Jeff Howes Golf Design recently completed a computer game and uploaded Photorealistic Computer Generated Flybys (to the club’s website) of the Jack Nicklaus Signature designed facility at Mount Juliet.

The game is free to download from the Club’s website and allows people to play the course in a virtual environment – try your hand at beating Tigers 20 under par WGC American Express winning score!

Hermitage GC, Dublin, Ireland
Jeff Howes Golf Design very recently completed the artwork for the Yardage Books, developed a computer game and uploaded Photorealistic Computer Generated Flybys (to the club’s website) of the 18 hole facility at The Hermitage GC.

The game is run on MicroSoft Links 2003 software (which can be downloaded for €5.99) and the game is for sale from The Hermitage GC’s website. The flybys themselves can also be downloaded to your phone and can be accessed while on the course whilst the yardage books are for sale in the Club Pro Shop.

GC Adamstal, Ramsau, Austria
Jeff recently made a trip to GC Adamstal our European Trophy Course as this progressive club continually seeks to improve the golfers experience. Discussions with the owner are currently underway to convert a par three to a par 4 and to introduce more water on the back nine.

Kilkenny Golf Club, Kilkenny, Ireland
In December 2009, Jeff Howes Golf Design were commissioned to develop a MasterPlan for this prestigious course in the South East of Ireland. Following extensive discussions with the Course Development Committee a MasterPlan for the existing golf course and adjacent lands owned by the club was agreed upon.

Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club, Wexford, Ireland
This relatively newcomer to the golf scene in Ireland has celebrated its 2nd year in operation by hosting an Irish PGA Pro-Am tournament in May, of 2010. Predictably it was won by resident Professional Mr. Ian Kerr who as a member of the Owners Consortium was present most days during construction and therefore had an unfair advantage over all others in the field.

Private Putting Greens Czech Republic & Paris
Recently Jeff Howes Golf Design teamed up with Mike Van Der Lee of GreenFields B.V. (Holland) to design two private practice putting greens whose putting surface is made of artificial turf.

Private Putting Greens Czech Republic & Paris
Jeff Howes Golf Design were appointed to draft a report on the playability of greens 1 & 6. This report has been furnished to the club for their consideration and action.


Phelan Faces Homage at PGA Catatunya

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Kevin Phelan signed for a third round, level par 72, and at the ISPS HANDA Perth International and trails leader Thorbjørn Olesen by 13 shots. The Waterford golfer needed to finish in the top four to save his card on the European Tour, a rsult that now looks unliley. 

At the tope opf the leaderboiard 24 year old Dane had spoken yesterday of his belief that a second European Tour title was overdue, and set about fulfilling that prophecy with three birdies in his first four holes at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

Further gains followed at the 11th, 12th and 14th, before the former Sicilian Open winner dropped his only shot of the day at the 15th.

That led to a five under par 67 and a 16 under par total, three ahead of nearest challenger Sihwan Kim.

Kim is looking to make it consecutive Korean wins in Perth following Jin Jeong’s triumph 12 months ago, and is playing under the added pressure of fighting to keep his European Tour card.

Only the top 111 players on The Race to Dubai at close of play tomorrow will retain their playing privileges for next season, and at 138th in the current standings the Challenge Tour graduate needs a top-two finish.

The same is true for overnight leader Peter Whiteford, who started the week 149th, but despite birdieing the first hole the Scot could only manage a 75 which left him seven shots back.

James Morrison followed yesterday’s course record 63 with a 69 to move into third on 12 under, with America’s Peter Uihlein a shot further back after a round of 65.

The man in the firing line for those trying to keep their cards, 111th-ranked Matthew Nixon, eased his fears of a return to Qualifying School as a round of 69 took him to six under.

His nearest pursuers to make the cut, 116 David Drysdale and 117 Carlos del Moral, shot rounds of 71 and 69 respectively and lie tied fifth and tied 33rd – both need at least top-16 finishes.