Plenty of Cork golfing success in 2025

2025 proved to be a year to remember for Cork golf, with several notable successes in the bag. 

Douglas, Monkstown and Lee Valley all won green national pennants, and there were notable individual successes as well.

Douglas did a rare double, winning the AIG Senior Cup in the Women’s and Men’s, taking full advantage of the status as hosts for the AIG Inter-Club finals at the end of August. Monkstown travelled to Northern Ireland and came home as winners of the AIG Junior Cup, and Lee Valley won their Girls Inter-Club title in Donabate in August.

It was a breakout year for John Doyle, the Mitchelstown teenager started the season in style with wins at the Irish Boys and the Munster Strokeplay, both events taking place in Cork Golf Club. 

That propelled the Fota Island member into the Irish Men's team, and he competed in European Amateur team championships in Killarney in one of several appearances in green.

Doyle was also runner up in the St Andrew’s Links and the English Boys, and he also reached the quarter finals of the Boys Amateur. He also played in the Jacques Leglise, the Amgen Irish Open and the Junior Ryder Cup in a rare triple of representative events. He also committed to a US college for August 2026.

David Howard triumphed in the East of Ireland, winning the prestigious provincial crown. 

Howard was the first Cork winner of the East in 35 years, Denis O’Sullivan was the last winner to bring the impressive trophy to Cork in 1990. 

The 26-year-old Fota Island golfer was the only player in the field to post four par or better rounds, finishing on five-under-par to secure a one-shot victory after a tense final day in Baltray.

Howard began the 36-hole finale in a share of fourth place on three-under, trailing by two shots. 

As tough east coast winds persisted through the third round, many faltered, but Howard remained steady, carding his second consecutive level-par round to enter the final stretch tied for second.

Howard, unaware of the standings continued his solid play in the final round. Birdies on 12 and 14 gave him a narrow edge, but a bogey on 17 meant he needed at least a four on the Par 5 final hole to seal the win.

With dad John informing him on the fairway that he “needed to hit the green” Howard responded with a perfectly struck second shot to inside 15 feet. He then lagged his eagle putt to within a foot, tapped in for birdie, and celebrated emotionally with family and friends.

Howard, who has been playing in almost all championship events since 2024 also finished in the top ten at the Flogas Irish Amateur Open and reached the quarter finals of the South of Ireland. His consistent play say him finish in fourth place on the Bridgestone Order of Merit. He also retained his place on the Irish panel for 2026 after making his Irish debut earlier in 2025.

2026 promises to be another landmark season for Irish amateur golf. The Walker Cup returns to Ireland for the first time since 2007, when Lahinch plays host to the famous match between GB&I and USA on 5 and 6 September.

Following on Lahinch’s hosting of The Palmer Cup in 2024, their Munster neighbours Tralee will host the event in early July. The Amgen Irish Open is also headed for Munster, with Doonbeg in Co Clare set to host the flagship professional event in September.

While there are several events in Munster, there are no national championships currently scheduled for Cork golf courses. “After such a memorable year, it’s so exciting to be looking ahead to another action-packed season in 2026,” said Golf Ireland Championships Director Mark Wehrly.

“To have the Palmer Cup and Walker Cup both coming to Ireland within a couple of months of each other and also having the chance to deliver the European Ladies’ Team Championship and the Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals, it’s going to be a huge year for our dedicated staff and volunteers.

“We’re also really thrilled to be partnering with fantastic clubs in launching four new Women’s Championships – we’re hopeful that will be a massive step forward in elevating the domestic championship scene.”