Karl Bornemann claimed another national title last week, he won his third Irish title when he retained his Irish Veterans title in Nenagh.
The Douglas golfer set his intention early when he posted a one under par 71 for the opening round.
He finished the 36 hole qualifier stage in the leading position with Castlemartyr’s John O’Brien two shots behind in second place.
As it happened the top two finishers both reached the final with Bornemann getting the better of O’Brien to in his second Irish Veterans title. Bornemann had a narrow win over John Mitchell in the semi-finals while John O’Brien was taken to extra holes by David Kineen.
In what was another great final, Bornemann finally retained his crown with a 5&4 victory.
Four Cork golfers made the matchplay stages of the Irish Seniors which was also played in Nenagh.
Cork’s Brian Kelleher and Mark Ford made the top 16 as did Richard Crean and Shane Kenneally. Ford was paired against Crean in the first round and he beat the Fermoy man to set up a match with David Hunt.
Ford lost out in the quarter final, losing out on the 17th.
Kelleher has been in competitive form, securing a top ten finish at the Seniors Close in Kinsale a few weeks ago.
Kelleher qualified just inside the top 16 but lost out in his first round match against eventual winner Eddie McCormack.
Cork’s Paddy Quill recorded his best championship finish in Westport over the weekend when he was 4th.
Quill has been playing well for a few weeks and capped it off with a great round on Sunday afternoon.
After rounds of 70, 78 and 70, Quill closed with an impressive 67 to move into the top 5.
He started his charge with an impressive eagle two at the par four second hole, and he closed his round in a powerful way with four birdies.
The Cork Golf Club member has been in good form recently. Quill shot a hugely impressive 62 in a recent competition in Cork Golf Club.
He was playing the BKK invitation singles and recorded a ten under return from the white tees.
After starting with a bogey on the opening hole, Quill eagled the par five 2nd hole, and proceeded to eagle the two other par fives as well as adding an eagle on the par four 16th hole.
While it’s not an official course record because it’s off the white tees, it is the best gross score on the course for many years.
There were a number of Cork golfers in action in Westport.
The Douglas duo of Jack Murphy and James Walsh finished in a tie for 12th place. Sean Reddy also made the cut but finished down the field.
Peter O’Keeffe’s “Double Irish” was fondly recalled last week when Stuart Grehan won the Irish Close in Westport on Sunday.
Grehan is only the third player to win both Irish titles in the same year in recent history, along with Padraig Harrington in 1995 and Peter O’Keeffe four years ago.
O’Keeffe secured both Irish titles in 2021. He firstly secured the Irish Close in Tullamore after beating Robert Moran in a dramatic three hole playoff in August 2021 as Covid restrictions were easing.
He followed that two months later with another play-off win, this time at the unique setting of The European Club in Brittas.
Fota Island’s John Doyle had another good week, reaching the quarterfinals of the Boys Amateur at Co Louth.
Doyle has picked up two wins this year, reached a play-off in the St Andrew’s Links Trophy and was selected on the Irish Men’s team and it’s a big change from 2024.
“I had a poor enough year last year, but I’ve just improved my game in every area a little bit this season and that seems to have made a big difference,” he said.
“My mental routine has been especially good. I have to thank Leanne Sharpe and my swing coach Michael Collins for that.
“They’ve been fantastic. Leanne’s the psychologist for the Irish Boys’ team and I’ve spent a lot of time with her on my routine and simple mental things that have added up to some good golf this year.”
