Irish PGA Honour Christy O'Connor

The Irish PGA Championship 2016 will be hosted on the Twin Oaks championship course at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort from September 21-25.

As a mark of respect to a golfing legend that was lost this year, the PGA in Ireland will host the inaugural Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial PGA Championship Pro-Am on the opening Wednesday.

Shabra Charity is the official charity of the 2016 championship.

Michael McCumiskey, secretary of PGA in Ireland, said: “We are pleased that this year’s event will not only be staged at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort but also sponsored by the venue and we thank the directors for their generous support of the tournament. The commitment is for three years, and the directors of Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort have given their clear intention to support and host this historic tournament until 2018.”

“Following the sad passing of Christy O’Connor Jnr, it is fitting that, in agreement with his family and the directors at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort, the championship pro-am will bear his name and be titled The Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Irish Championship PGA Pro-Am.”

The O’Connor family have welcomed the announcement and stated it was “a very fitting mark of respect which we hope will help to continue his legacy and commitment to the game of golf.”

The Irish PGA Championship has been staged since 1907.

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Club History - Clonmel Golf Club

Clonmel Golf Club was founded in 1911 and the nine-hole course was laid out in the verdant valley, cutting its way into the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains. Founder members were the Earl of Donoughmore, the Duchess of St. Albans and Villiers Morton-Jackson of Powerstown Park. Its first professional and groundsman was a man named Marsh, who lived in the original Pavilion that was built in 1912. The clubs first President was the Duchess of St. Albans, and the following account of the official opening, which took place on Thursday, 11th July 1912, was recorded in " The Nationalist " newspaper issue dated Saturday, 13th July 1912:

"On Thursday afternoon the links of the newly-formed Clonmel Golf Club was opened by Her Grace, the Duchess of St. Albans. The Club was only established early this year, but under progressive management it has made rapid headway, and now includes nearly two hundred members. The links, which are charmingly situated at the head of Glenmorgan in the hills south of Clonmel, and about two and a half miles from town, have been much used by members for months past, but now the grounds are pretty fully equipped and in grand trim and a neat little Pavilion has been erected also, where tea and light refreshments are obtainable. A splendid commencement has been made and the club is bound to flourish, because golf in such delightful and healthy surroundings will have special attraction to votaries of the pastime.

The formal opening function was fixed for 3.30 p.m., and punctually to time, the Duchess of St. Albans, accompanied by her cousin, Mr. Phipps, arrived by motor from Newtown Anner. She was received by the Mayor, Councillor James Meehan; the Captain of the club, Mr. M.J. Murphy; Mr T. Murphy, vice-president; Mr T.W. Martin, secretary, and others, and escorted to a large marquee on the grounds.

In opening the proceedings, the Mayor said: 

"On behalf of the Clonmel Golf Club, it is my pleasing duty and pleasure to bid Your Grace a hearty welcome amongst us. I thank you for the honour you conferred on us by coming here today to open the links. It is but another evidence of the deep interest Your Grace takes in the citizens of Clonmel. Golf is an ancient game, but it is only in the last twenty years that it has been known in Ireland. Our people have always shown a great aptitude for games of all kinds, and I am glad to know that in golf, as in other games that require skill and prowess, we are able to hold our own (hear, hear !). Golf is a manly game and will succeed, I have no doubt. It tends to improve health, and is so fascinating a game that I am told that wherever a golf club is formed it was never known to fail. I hope that this club, which Your Grace has so kindly consented to open today, will be a big success and will be a source of pleasure and healthy enjoyment to its members. I have pleasure in introducing to Your Grace the youngest member, Master Martin, who will ask Your Grace to accept the gift he will offer you on behalf of the members as a slight souvenir of the day's proceedings".

Master Martin then handed Her Grace a handsome silver inkstand in the form of a golf-ball and clubs. The Duchess of St. Albans, who seemed much pleased, accepted the gift with thanks and proceeding, said: "Mr Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, I feel I am a very unsuitable person to be asked to open these links today, as I don't play golf, though my daughters are devoted golfers, but I have never had a golf club in my hand. I am, nonetheless, pleased to show interest in the club. I am very fond of the country and anything that tends to bring people together in the open air especially, I am only too anxious to encourage. I hope to be a member of the club - an honorary member. Though I know you have been playing here for some time, so that the function here today is only a matter of form, I am delighted to be here and declare the new links open. I thank you also for the beautiful souvenir you have so kindly given me (applause).

Soon after, the company moved out to the first teeing ground, where the Duchess of St. Albans putt a ball and the Mayor putt another, thus formally opening the links. Mr. Tom Travers of Kingstown and Mr. E. Marsh, the Clonmel Golf Club professional, then played a game and gave a splendid and scientific exhibition of the fine old pastime. The proceedings were of the happiest and most successful kind and was only slightly marred by a sharp shower of rain just before the opening game.

The professional match played after the opening ceremoniesof the Clonmel Golf Links between E.C. Marsh, the local professional, and Tom Travers of Kingstown Club, attracted much attention. The supporters of the local man were doomed to disappointment, as he was obviously nervous and although continually gaining an advantage in the long game, he was off-colour in the close work and was rather easily defeated, showing the truth of the old axiom " the game of golf is not to be the longest driver ". But a little luck, or rather a little less hard luck on the greens at the start would probably have made a big difference in the result, as ill-luck at the start has anything but a steadying effect on the nerves.

One shot in the game appears to deserve special comments - Travers shot out of the thick bracken at the ninth hole. He could scarcely see his ball but it went out gradually about ninety yards and lay open to the pin. He expressed his astonishment repeatedly at the excellence of the greens in their first year. Both players were loudly cheered at the finish of the match and although the large majority of the spectators cannot have been well up on the game, yet consideration shown during the match would have taught a lesson to most golfing crowds who have far greater knowledge of golf. It is saying much to be able to state that neither player was once hindered or baulked in any stroke by a spectator."

New 18 Hole Course

It is fair to say that it is the ambition of every 9-hole golf club is to expand to an 18-hole one. In this connection the dreams and aspirations of the Clonmel Club were realised on June 15th, 1973, when Mr. Paddy McPolin, President of the Golfing Union of Ireland, formally opened our new 18-Hole course.

www.clonmelgolfclub.com

Lowry Slips in Waste Management Open

Getty Images

Shane Lowry closed his second day in Arizona with a round of 70 and dropped off the pace as James Hahn shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 in breezy conditions Friday to take the lead in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Hahn had a 10-under 132 total on TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course to enter the weekend a stroke ahead of Rickie Fowler and Danny Lee. Fowler birdied his final hole for a 68, and Lee had a 66.

"I'm having fun out there," Hahn said. "Making a lot of putts, hitting a lot of fairways, giving myself many opportunities to make birdie."

An estimated 160,415 fans, not counting a large bobcat that sauntered between the first and second holes in the afternoon, packed the grounds. The crowd broke the Friday record of 123,674 set in 2014 and was the 10th-largest figure for any day in tournament history.

Hahn is at home at golf biggest party, becoming an internet sensation in 2013 when he celebrated a birdie on the rowdy par-3 16th with a "Gangnam Style" dance. He won his first PGA TOUR title last year in a playoff at Riviera.

"It's good for golf, good for the game, good for the fans that come out here," Hahn said. "They support the golf tournament, so might as well give them a show."

Hahn opened with a chip-in birdie on the par-4 10th and birdied the two back-nine par 5s, making a 30-footer on the 13th and hitting a wedge to 7 feet on the 15th. On his final nine, he hit a wedge to 3 feet to set up a birdie on the par-4 second, chipped to 3 feet for another birdie on the par-5 third, and took the outright lead with a 10-footer on the par-4 sixth.

"Sleeping in my own bed this week, live about 10 minutes away," Hahn said. "I have played this course a hundred times. The only thing different about the course today, as any other day, is the greens are better."

Fowler rebounded from a three-putt bogey on the short par-4 17th with the birdie on the par-4 18th. A day after driving into the left-side water, he hammered a fairway wood down the middle and -- with music thumping in the background -- hit his approach to 4 feet.

"It wasn't playing easy," Fowler said. "The wind was kind of blowing from an awkward position. ... Just tried to stay patient, fight through it."

The top-ranked player in the field at No. 4, Fowler has four worldwide victories in the last nine months. He missed the cut last week at Torrey Pines after winning in Abu Dhabi the previous week.

Lee birdied five of his first eight holes, highlighted by a 20-footer on the stadium 16th. The South Korean-born New Zealander won The Greenbrier Classic last year for his first tour title.

"Wind was definitely in play today," Lee said. "It was a little bit different than yesterday. The greens being so firm, you're kind of forced to hit driver. You want to hit a shorter club on the second shot."

Harris English and Hideki Matsuyama (70) were 7-under.

Keegan Bradley, penalised two strokes Thursday for having too many clubs in his bag, was 5-under after a 69. Bradley and caddie Steve Hale didn't notice the extra club until after the first hole in the first round.

Bubba Watson shot his second straight 69. "I used the wrong words," Watson said. "I have nothing against the fans and the tournament. The fans have been great. I love coming here. I've lived here every winter for eight years. This is a beautiful place. ... I didn't explain myself well. My wife says that, too, when I go home. I don't communicate very well."

The two-time Masters champion tied for second the last two years and has shot par or better in all 36 of his career rounds in the event, playing to a cumulative 97-under.

Phil Mickelson was 2-under after a 71. The 45-year-old former Arizona State player bogeyed Nos. 14 and 15, hitting a hybrid approach into the water on 15.

"That kind of let the round get away," said Mickelson, the tournament winner in 1996, 2005 and 2013. "I'm looking forward to having another shot at this golf course tomorrow."

Four players were unable to complete the round because of darkness, with Bo Van Pelt the best of group at 5-under with two holes left. ... Brandt Snedeker, the winner Monday at Torrey Pines, was 4-under after a 71. ... Jason Dufner shot 71-74 to miss the cut in his first start since winning at La Quinta.

Paul Dunne looks set to miss the cut after a second round 71 left him one shot adrift of the mark.

Padraig Harrington mussed the weekend and will  move to Pebble Beach after Friday saw  him sign ffor a 72 to finish +4

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Course Designer - Eddie Hackett

Born in a Dublin pub in 1910, twelve years before Irish independence, Hackett survived a Dickensian childhood of periodic penury and grave illness (he spent long stretches in hospital with

While Eddie was still a teenager, the family fell on hard times and so Hackett was thankful to get a job as a clubmaker at the Royal Dublin Golf Club.He worked on his game, became an assistant professional, and in 1939 landed the job as the head professional at the exclusive Portmarnock links for the princely sum of 10 pounds a week.

"As the professional I was never allowed into the clubhouse," Hackett remembers."I'm an honorary member now, and I still don't go into the clubhouse. It's just the way I am."

Hackett left Portmarnock in 1950 to take part in an ill-advised business venture. The next few years turned out to be the worst of his life, and he spent another nine months in bed in a near-fatal battle with meningitis.Hackett returned to golf almost by chance in the early 1960s when the Golfing Union of Ireland asked him to give teaching clinics across the country. One of the clubs was looking for someone to design a golf course (one of the first full-length courses to be built in thirty years) and Hackett's name was recommended. He stumbled his way through the job and suddenly he was an expert. For all intents and purposes he was Ireland's only golf architect.

"In those years, there was no one else to go to," says Hackett, "unless you went to an English architect, but they were expensive. All my life I've been charging too little, but at that time, you see, I wouldn't have the confidence in my abilities."

On occasion, Hackett even tried to convince clubs not to hire him.

"I told them that if I was in your position, and I wanted to make some money, I wouldn't use Hackett, I'd use a Nicklaus or a Palmer or a Trent Jones."

In two notable cases, clubs followed his advice, and hired Arnold Palmer (Tralee) and Robert Trent Jones (Ballybunion New). Both are worthy efforts, built on spectacular terrain, but they have a theatricality out of sync with the great Irish and British links. The consensus in Ireland is that they don't rank with Hackett's best, which have an air of maturity and grace rare in young courses of any kind.

Hackett's courses tend to be long from the back tees, with clearly visible landing areas, large greens and spectacular elevated tees. Despite his great love for the classic links of Ireland and Scotland (which he played as a young professional), Hackett eschews one of their most common features -- blind tee shots and hidden hazards -- and prefers to make a hole's challenges clearly visible in the modern style. Every one of his links courses is enormously enjoyable, even thrilling to play, with at least a half-dozen holes that will stop you dead in your tracks in admiration.

Because Hackett's layouts are so sensitive to the natural terrain, there is always a consistent style and rhythm to his links that takes its theme from the specific natural surroundings. Nothing seems artificial or imposed. Hackett would be horrified to think his courses looked like one another -- he doesn't want to leave his signature about. He doesn't talk so much about designing golf holes as finding them, and he is proudest when he can point to a hole and say "it's just as nature."

www.westwaterfordgolf.com

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Christy O'Conror Jnr Honoured

Christy O'Connor Jnr was presented with the “Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award” at the 2014 Gala Irish Golf Awards at Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co.Mayo. 

O’Connor Jnr, a legendary European Tour, Senior Tour and Ryder Cup star and a prolific Irish golf course designer with projects all over the world, was recognised by the IGTOA –Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association for his lifetime contribution to the Irish golf industry as one of the greatest ambassadors for Ireland and Irish golf across the globe.

Enda Kenny said: “I am delighted to present one of Ireland’s greatest golf ambassadors Christy O’Connor Jnr with the 'Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award' this evening in recognition of his lifetime contribution to Ireland and Irish golf. 

"Christy has represented Ireland on over twenty occasions and his career has provided many memorable and exciting moments for us all to be proud of as a golfing nation. I wish to also congratulate all the recipients of the '2014 Gala Irish Golf Awards' and I commend them on their hard work to achieve this recognition. 

"This is about celebrating the excellence of the golf that is offered and played on this island. The combination of breathtaking scenery, challenging courses and our friendly people offers a unique golfing experience to the many international visitors that play our golf courses here each year. 

"This in turn brings jobs, opportunity and investment across our country in accommodation, bars, good food and all the things that make an Irish holiday great. We know that the golfers who come here are happy with the experience so it's thanks to the hard work of those in the industry that we can take pride in Ireland's being a superb golf tourism destination." 

Richard Hills, Director of Ryder Cup Europe, wished to congratulate O’Connor Jnr and all the winners on behalf of The Ryder Cup and The European Tour.

“On behalf of Ryder Cup Europe and the European Tour I would like to congratulate Christy O’Connor Jnr on this richly deserved recognition by the Irish golf industry," he said. "Christy’s professional golfing career on the European Tour, the European Senior Tour and The Ryder Cup spans four incredible decades, bringing a high level of success both in terms of tournament victories and superb Ryder Cup moments. 

Those nine worldwide wins and two Ryder Cup appearances were a source of deep personal pride, but more significantly they earned Christy the respect from the world of professional golf.

"His contribution to the game of golf in Europe at all levels has been outstanding, and he remains an inspiration to his fellow players across all the global Tours. Christy has delivered many historic and memorable golfing moments during his career – none more inspiring that his glorious two iron at the final hole to defeat Fred Couples in the singles at The Belfry in 1989.

"Christy has left his mark on the game through his educational and charitable activities while his signature course design is stamped on many impressive courses across the world. Christy has been a great ambassador for Ireland and Irish golf and in particular for the tourism industry. This award acknowledges the high regard in which he is held. We wish Christy continued success in his golfing career and the very best in the future.”

A selection of leading Irish companies in the golf tourism industry also received accolades on the night with winners in the hotel, golf course and golf resort categories. The event was hosted by CNN Presenter Shane O’ Donoghue.

The event is run each year by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) which is the recognised national representative body for the Irish golf tourism industry and is pro-active in supporting the promotion, growth and development of Irish golf tourism overseas.

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Michael Hoey - Interview 1st Round

Photo - Asian Tour Golf 

Q: What do you think of a round of 64 to start?

A: I’ll take it. I know the course is scoreable because there’s not a lot of rough, but the wind picks up and the last few holes were tricky today. We probably had ten or 11 holes with no much wind, which was the advantage of teeing off early. But the last few holes were tricky. I putted well and it suits me that if you have a bit of length off the tee, you can cut a few corners and reach the par fives in two. So the course suits me, and I saw that in the pro-am yesterday.

Q: So with the wind up it must be even more satisfying to have a flawless card?

A: Yes it has been a long time since I had a bogey-free card. I was talking to my coaches recently about throwing in double bogeys too often, so to be bogey-free and have no fives on the card and a course record is a nice start. I’m swinging the club well so hopefully I can put three more good rounds together and see what happens.

Q: What was the approach to get rid of the double bogeys?

A: I sent a video of my swing from the range to the guys yesterday and I was hitting it well. I was hitting a little draw shot and they said to go with that rather than trying to play perfect golf. It’s just about keeping your rhythm, simple stuff. It’s not as demanding as the Middle East courses or last week. There’s less water in play but the greens are tough, and I managed to leave myself on the right side of the pin a lot. It was sensible golf.

Q: You’ve been out here long enough to know not to chase for perfection, don’t you?

A: Yes. I left myself some easier uphill putts today and converted them. Whereas if you’re past the pin it’s about 15 on the stimp and you could easily three-putt, so you’ve got to concentrate on what you’re doing. Even though the course is fairly straightforward, the greens aren’t. With the wind coming up, it’s not as easy as you think.

Q: Has it been frustrating, the run you’ve been on?

A: Yes. I started to hit the ball well in the Middle East but I was coming 50th or thereabouts each week. At least I was making cuts and making money, but throwing in a few double bogeys was ruining my scorecards. Hopefully this is the start of some more bogey-free stuff.

Q: But you’re not going to get carried away?

A: Oh no. This is a marathon. I’m just pleased to get something out of it, because I’ve been working hard for a long time and not getting the scores. This is really satisfying to get a good score. Hopefully I can follow it up tomorrow, Friday 13th is going to be lucky for me.

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McIlroy Appeals for Younger Audiience

Rory McIlroy has urged golf’s rule-makers to quicken the game up at grass-roots level in order to make it more attractive to youngsters.

More people are watching the sport on television these days but fewer are taking to the fairways and the 25-year-old Northern Irishman believes something needs to be done to reverse the trend.

“Everything’s so instant now and everyone doesn’t have as much time as they used to so you maybe try some way of speeding the game up,” McIlroy told BBC radio. “The viewership in golf is up but the participation is down. People enjoy watching the game but gone are the days that you could spend five or six hours on a golf course.”

The four-time major champion says officials at the top of the sport would be willing to make changes if they were of benefit.

“I don’t think they’d be against it especially if they wanted to get participation levels up,” explained McIlroy. “I don’t think they need to alter tournament-play formats, I think that works very well. It’s the grass-roots, definitely not at our level.

“I feel as though I’ve inspired a lot of kids back home in Northern Ireland to pick up the game and play,” said McIlroy who won the British Open at Hoylake in July and the US PGA Championshipin Kentucky in August. “Hopefully I can continue to do that beyond Northern Ireland because it’s a great game. It’s given me a lot and I’ve loved every minute of it and I know if more people pick up the game they’ll love it too.”

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Harrington Shares Bank BRI Lead

Padraig Harrington of Ireland struggled to take advantage of the calm morning conditions on Saturday as he tied for the second round lead with Thanyakon Khrongpha at the BANK BRI Indonesia Open.

The three-time Major winner was five-under through 12-holes on Friday which included an opening eagle before the halfway stage of the US$750,000 Asian Tour event was suspended due to inclement weather.

With a 4.50am morning call, Harrington returned to the Damai Indah Golf, PIK Course to finish with six straight pars for a 12-under-par 130 total which matched Thanyakon’s efforts yesterday.

“It was nice conditions and obviously I would like to make a few birdies this morning. But that happens and thankfully it was only six holes. Hopefully I will hit it a bit closer and make a few putts in the afternoon,” said Harrington.

Nathan Holman of Australia was a further two shots back following an impressive 63 while Jarin Todd after matching Thanyakon’s efforts of 63, while Scott Hend and Jarin Todd of the United States shot identical 64s for a 133 total.

The halfway cut was set at one-over-par 143 with a total of 72 players qualifying for the weekend rounds. Title holder Gaganjeet Bhullar crashed out from the event after finishing two shots over the mark.

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Relevant Rules

Rule 20-3

Placing and Replacing

If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of placing or replacing the ball, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of placing or replacing the ball or removing the ball-marker.

If a ball to be replaced is placed other than on the spot from which it was lifted or moved and the error is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6, the player incurs the general penalty, loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play, for a breach of the applicable Rule.

Rule 6-6

Scoring in Stroke Play

a. Recording Scores

After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.

b. Signing and Returning Score Card

After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible. Penalty for Breach of Rule 6-6b: disqualification.

c. Alteration of Score Card

No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee.

d. Wrong Score for Hole

The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands.

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