Fota Island Resort golf club Cork

Members Achievements

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Semi-Final of the Women’s Junior Cup on Saturday 7th September 2024 at Athlone Golf Club when they lost out to the Ladies from Powerscourt Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches. They were led out by Rose Nagle who lost her match by 4 and 3 against Sarah McCooey, she was followed by Julia Falvey-Ryan who had a convincing 6 and 5 win against Margaret Worrall, Deirdre Ryan lost her match by 3 and 2 against Lynda Booth, in the penultimate match Aileen Sweeney-O'Sullivan had a 6 and 5 win against Anne O'Neill and in the bottom match Lorraine Stanley lost her match against Maeve Cantwell by 4 and 3.
The previous day they met the Ladies from Castletroy Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final and had a 4-matches to 1-match win against the Co. Limerick Club. Rose Nagle put the first point on the board with a 3 and 2 win against Aoife O'Neill, next on the tee was Julia Falvey Ryan who had a very convincing 7 and 6 win against Eavan Martin, Deirdre Ryan halved her match against Ann Byrnes, in the penultimate match Aileen Sweeney-O'Sullivan had a 4 and 2 win against Ethna Leonard and the bottom match of Wendy Keenan against Sarah Vaughan was halved when called-in.

David Howard was selected on the Munster Interprovincial team played at PGA Slieve Rusell Golf Club from 3rd to 5th July 2024. Others on the team were Jordon Boles (Charleville Golf Club), Darragh Flynn (Carton House Golf Club), Jack Hearn (Tramore Golf Club), Morgan Cain (Cork Golf Club), Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas Golf Club), Joseph O’Neill (Berehaven Golf Club) and David Reddan (Nenagh Golf Club) they were managed by Diarmuid Linehan from Muskerry Golf Club and captained by Fred Twomey

John Doyle was selected on the Irish Boys’ team that competed in the European Boys' Team Championship at Diamond, Austria from  9th to 13th July 2024, the others on the team were Sean Cooper (Enniscorthy Golf Club), Fionn Dobbin (Malone Golf Club), Finlay Eager (Royal Belfast Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club) and Jack Murphy (Douglas Golf Club) they were coached by Stephen Hood, managed by Neil Manchip and captained by Peter English from Limerick Golf Club

Fota Island Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals of the Barton Shield at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club on Thursday 7th September 2023 when they lost out to Carton House Golf Club by 7-holes.
In the top match, Sean Barry with John Doyle lost their match against Keith Egan David Shiel and in the bottom match, Keith Crowley with David Howard went down by 5-holes against Marc Boucher with Paul O'Hanlon. Carton House lost the All-Ireland Final the following day against Lisburn by the minimum.

Fota Island Golf Club won the Final of East Munster Barton Shield on Sunday 16th July 2023 at Dungarvan Golf Club when they beat Muskerry Golf Club by 4-Holes.

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club were Runners-Up in the All-Ireland Semi-Final of the Irish Women’s Intermediate Cup at Westport Golf Club on Friday 22th September 2023 when they went down to Portumna Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches.
In the top match Katalin Albert Meagher lost her match against Ann Hynes by 5 and 4, she was followed by Anne O’Connell who won her match on the 19th against Bernie Kilmartin, next on the tee was Marissa O’Flynn who lost her match by the minimum against Martina O’Brien, in the penultimate match Theresa Roche went all the way up the 21st before relinquishing the point against Rachel Madden and in the bottom match Carmel Reardon recorded a 4 and 3 win against Mary McElroy.

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club won the Quarter Finals of the Women’s Intermediate Cup on Sunday 3rd September 2023 at Blarney Golf Club when they beat Wicklow Golf Club by 4-matches to 1-match. They were led out by Paula Whitley who had a 4 and 3 win against Nora Dunne, she was followed by Kata Meagher who halved her match against Una Doyle when called in, next on the tee was Marissa O’Flynn who recorded a very comfortable 7 and 6 win against Margaret Bolger, the penultimate match of Theresa Roche against Bernie O'Donoghue was halved when called-in and in the bottom match Suzanne Hickey had a 5 and 4 win against Grainne Lavery.               

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club won the Final of East Munster Women’s Intermediate Cup on Saturday 29th July 2023 at Kinsale Golf Club when they beat Cahir Park Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matchs.

The Ladies from Fota Island Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Quarter-Final of the Irish Women’s Junior Foursomes on Saturday 26th August 2023 at Enniscorthy Golf Club when they lost out to Old Conna Golf Club by 2½-matches to ½-match.
In the top match Wendy Keenan with Bernie Spain lost their match by 4 and 3 against Laura O’Kiersey with Alison Eggers, they were followed by Paula Whitely with Theresa Roche who lost their match against Geraldine Hutchinson with Linda Finnegan and the bottom match of Marissa O’Flynn with Kata Meagher was halved against Monica Purcell with Paula Healy.  

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club won the East Munster Women’s Junior Foursomes at Fermoy Golf Club when they beat the Ladies from Youghal Golf Club on Sunday 23rd of July 2023.
Paula Whitley with Suzanne Hickey put the first point on the board for Fota Island and the title was secured when Marissa O’Flynn with Theresa Roche won the final match.

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Final of East Munster Women’s Senior Foursomes on Sunday 16th July 2023 at Mallow Golf Club when they lost out to Douglas Golf Club by 2½-matches to ½-match.

John Doyle was selected on the European Young Masters team played at Sedin Golf Club, Slovakia between 27th and 29th July 2023 the others on the team were Olivia Costello (Roscommon Golf Club), Kate Dillon (Oughterard Golf Club) and Finlay Eager (Royal Belfast Golf Club) they were coached by Michelle Carroll and captained by Liam Troy from Thurles Golf Club.

John Doyle was selected on the Irish team to play in the McGregor Trophy at Hunstanton Golf Club on 18th to 20th July 2023, the others on the squad were Evan Hogg (Belvoir Park Golf Club), Scott McCabe (Massereene Golf Club), Evan Monaghan (Tullamore Golf Club), Isaac Oliver (Ballinasloe Golf Club) and Charlie Smyth (Slieve Russell Golf Club) they were coached by Ian Kearney and managed by Peter Waddell.

John Doyle was selected on the Irish Boys’ Under 18 team for the Home Internationals from 8th to the10th August 2023 at Lindrick Golf Club the others on the team were Donnacha Cleary (Tipperary Golf Club), Fionn Dobbin (Malone Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club), Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park Golf Club), Sean Keeling (Roganstown Golf Club), Jack Murphy and James Walsh (Douglas Golf Club) and Gavin Tiernan (Co. Louth Golf Club) they were coached by Stephen Hood and captained by Peter English from Limerick Golf Club.

John Doyle was selected on the Irish U-16 Boys team that faced England at Carton House Golf Club from 7th to 8th October 2023, others on the squad were Finlay Eager (Royal Belfast Golf Club), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock Golf Club), Evan Monaghan (Tullamore Golf Club), Gordon Sillett (Ballykisteen Golf Club) and Charlie Smyth (Slieve Russell Golf Club) they were coached by Ian Kearney and captained by Liam Troy from Thurles Golf Club.

Young John Doyle won the Irish Boy's at Monkstown Golf Club in July 2023 and was selected on the Munster Under-18 Interprovincial Team played at Ballykisteen Golf Club on 21st and 22nd August 2023.
The other members of the team were Donnacha Cleary (Tipperary Golf Club), Sean Deasy, Jack Murphy & James Walsh (Douglas Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club) and Lucas Lyons (Limerick Golf Club).
They were Captained by Liam Troy (Thurles Golf Club) and John Fennessy (Clonmel Golf Club).

John Doyle was selected on the Irish U-18 High performance panel for 2023/2024, the others on the panel were Sean Keeling and Mark Cadden (Roganstown Golf Club), Donnacha Cleary (Tipperary Golf Club), Fionn Dobbin (Malone Golf Club), Finlay Eager (Royal Belfast Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club), Evan Monaghan (Tullamore Golf Club), Jack Murphy (Douglas Golf Club), Gordon Sillett (Ballykisteen Golf Club) and Charlie Smyth (Slieve Russell Golf Club).   

The Ladies from Fota Island Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Junior Cup at Knightsbrook Golf Club on Friday 16th September 2022 and were drawn against the Ladies from Royal Portrush Golf Club and lost their match by 3-matches to 2-matches.
Norma Hill led them out and put the first point on the board with a 4 and 3 win against Poppy Hastings, she was followed by Deirdre Ryan who lost out by 5 and 3 against Ella Proctor, next on the tee was Sel O’Leary who lost her match against Julia Currie by 4 and 3, in penultimate match Aileen Sweeney-O’Sullivan had a convincing 4 and 3 win against Jo Donaldson, in the bottom and deciding match Lorraine Stanley lost her match against Siobhan McHugh by 3 and 2.    

John Doyle was selected to represent Munster on the Boys’ Under-14 Interprovincial Team at Mount Wolseley Hotel and Golf Resort on October 9th and 10th October 2021, the others on the squad were Gordon Sillett (Ballykisteen Golf Club), Jack Clohessy (Ennis Golf Club), Cian McDonnell (Monkstown Golf Club) and Barry O'Connell with Sean Reddy (Douglas Golf Club) they were managed by Dave Taylor from Muskerry Golf Club snd captained by Phil Cooney from Lee Valley Golf Club.  

The Ladies of Fota Island won the Munster Final of the Intermediate Cup when they beat Kanturk Golf Club by 4 matches to 1 match at Youghal Golf Club on Saturday 21st August 2010. First on the tee was Mary Daunt (16) who beat Nuala Meade (19) by 3 and 2, she was followed by Mary O'Leary (16) who won her match against Bernie O'Connor (20) by 4and 2, next up was Patricia O'Sullivan (17) who won by a similar margin against Martina Dennehy (20). The bottom two matches of Patricia Coughlan (18) against Margaret Fitzgerald (21) and Rose Beamish (18) against Nora Mary Ring (22) were halved when called in.
They made the long journey to Donabate Golf Club where they met Ulster Champions Dungannon Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Friday 24th September, first up was Mary Daunt (16) who lost her match to Ann Currie (17) by 5 and 4, she was followed by Mary O'Leary (17) who won her match against Hazel Annesley (17) by 2 and 1, next up was Patricia Coughlan (17) who lost her match to Celia Devlin (20) by 6 and 4, the penultimate match of Patricia O'Sullivan (18) was a close fought match against Lorraine Wilson (20) when Patricia won by 1-hole, the bottom match of Rose Beamish (18) was a comfortable 5 and 3 win over Ann Shields (20).
They met Mid-Leinster Champions Kilcoole Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final the following day, they were led again by Mary Daunt (16) who lost her match 5 and 3 against Loretto McDermott (17), she was followed by Mary O'Leary (17) who had a 3 and 2 win over Angela Maher (18), next up was Patricia Coughlan (17) who lost her match by 3 and 2 against Joan Donnelly (19), the penultimate match of Patricia O'Sullivan (18) was halved against Pauline Doyle (20) and the bottom match of Rose Beamish (18) was a resounding 7 and 6 win for Karen Horsfall (20).

John Doyle was selected on the Irish Boys’ Under-16 team for the Quadrangular Tournament at  Pyle & Kenfig, just north of Porthcawl, in Wales from12th to 14th April 2022, the other members on the squad were Donnacha Cleary (Tipperary Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club), Harry McArdle (Warrenpoint Golf Club), Evan Monaghan (Tullamore Golf Club) and Charlie Smyth (Slieve Russell Golf Club) they were coached by Paul Kiely and captained by Liam Troy from Thurles Golf Club.

Matthew Kelleher and John Doyle were selected on the Munster Under-16 team to participate in the Interprovincial Championships at Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club from 18th and 19st July 2022, the others on the squad were Sean Reddy and Sean Deasy (Douglas Golf Club), Mark Gazi (Tralee Golf Club), Gordan Sillett (Ballykisteen Golf Club) the non-travelling reserve was Paddy Quill from Cork Golf Club and captained by Anthony Nash from Lee Valley Golf Club.

Lady Captain Rose Negle, Captain Finbar Cotter and P. Hourihane, qualified for the National Finals of the Mercedes-Benz Irish Independent Executive Golf Classic at The K Club on August 12th 2002.

The Ladies of Fota Island Golf Club won the ILGU Minor League in 1997.

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

Colm O’Sullivan represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2010 playing 6-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 9-points. He represented Munster in the Boys Interprovincial Championships from 2008 to 2010 playing 10-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 5-matches accumulating 9-points;

T. O’Flynn represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 2007 to 2010 playing 8-times won 3-matches halved two and lost 3-matches accumulating 8-points. He represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level from 2005 to 2007 playing 16-times won 11-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 22-points;

Ross O’Sullivan represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level in 2009 playing 4-times won 2-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 4-points. He represented Munster in the Boys Interprovincial Championships from 2007 to 2008 playing 9-times won 2-matches and lost 7-matches accumulating 4-points;

Pat O’Brien represented Munster in the Boys Interprovincial Championships in 2002 playing 6-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 9-points;

History of Fota Island Resort

It would appear that golf was first played at Fota Island before November, 1886. There is even an argument that it is the second-oldest course in Ireland. The Belfast Newsletter 1st November, reports "Since November 1881, when the Belfast club was instituted, no less than three additional courses have been laid down, in different parts of the country. The second was Fota Island, one of our London contemporaries noticing an opening-game at Fota Island" If this is the case, it may well be the oldest club in Cork, as Kinsale was not mentioned before June, 1883.

The Irish Times on the 6th January, 1906, reads "New links at Fota Island, in the demesne at Fota, Lady Barrymore has laid out a golf-course of nine-holes, which compares favourably with any inland links. Upon them will be played, next month, a stroke-competition under, handicap, for a valuable silver cup, kindly presented by Lady Barrymore. The entries will be open to members of Cork and Rushbrook golf-clubs only"

There is no further mention of golf at Fota Island until the early 1990s, when Christy O’Connor Jnr., designed a new eighteen-hole course. The club was founded in 1993, then, in 1999, a major, redesign was carried out by Jeff Howes. The result was that Fota was the venue of the Murphy’s Irish Open, in 2001, and 2002.