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Looking forward to another eventual golf season

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Hi everyone,

I am recent college graduate hailing from Cork City. I have just started an internship here in the Marketing and Sales Department at Fota Island Resort and I am delighted with my experience so far and am looking forward to the next six months. I have been appointed to the Golf side of things as I have spent a great portion of my summers caddying in Waterville Golf Links, Co. Kerry .

This has been an invaluable insight to the golfing world and I have been lucky enough to caddy for people from all over the world and accompanied house hold names such as Dan Marino and Ken Doherty and pros Tiger Woods, Stuart Appleby and Mark O’Meara. One incident I recall took place during a round with Tiger Woods when he ended up in one of the bunkers on the right side of the 14th fair way. On his third attempted to escape the trap, a member of the four ball , who will remain anonymous, reminded the world number one at the time how ‘’ tis like digging spuds Tiger!’’. The suggestion was greeted with a look of confusion.

My first experience of Fota Island Golf Club was in 2001 when my Father was invited to play in the pro-am of the Murphy’s Irish Open. Colin Montgomerie went on to win the Open however to my delight the pro in my fathers four ball was the legendary Seve Ballesteros. It was a great day and I remember being the envy of my friends who were gathered around the 18th green looking to cop a golf ball off some of the big names playing that day. I recently returned to Fota Island Resort on New Years Eve for a wedding of close friends, John Burgoyne and Barbra Farrell. The wedding party departed the Honan Chapel in University College Cork shortly after lunch and were greeted by a champagne reception in the Clubhouse at Fota Island Golf Club. The Clubhouse, complemented by grand surroundings, was the perfect location for the event. We were seated for dinner at the 5 o’clock mark after enjoying an array of finger food and beverages. After the speeches and other formalities a four course meal was served. There was a fine choice on hand; however I opted for a fish pate appetizer, mushroom soup, a fillet steak and a selection of ice cream to finish off a five star course. The celebrations of a perfect day stretched well into the night and early hours. I wish John and Barbra many years of happiness together. Fota Island Resort is hosting a Wedding Showcase on the 26th of February and all interested parties are welcome. If you don’t have time to register online, don’t stress you are still more then welcome on the day.

Looking at the Clubhouse calendar I am excited to see a long list of upcoming events. One stands out in particular – the PGA Europro Tour, the Audi Cork Irish Masters, which Fota Island Golf Club will host for the second year running at the beginning of July. The competition attracts big name sponsors such as Sky Sports and 888.com. Last years event was won by Paul Reed of the Bristol and Clifton Golf Club who went around in 70, 67 and 68 over the three days of competition and claimed £10,000 in prize money. Reed admitted he was ‘stunned to have won his first ever PGA EuroPro Tour event’ – only two years after contemplating quitting golf giving us all encouragement to stick with it!

February sees the return of Resort Open Four ball which takes place every Wednesday throughout the spring starting on the 17th of February. The Resort Juvenile Open kicks off the following day, 18th of February, while the Resort Senior Open begins on the last Monday of January. The Senior Scratch Cup starts on Monday the 19th of March with a 1st prize of €500. (Open to golfers with a handicap of 5 or under and aged 55+). Another event that might be of interest to readers is the Callaway Custom Fitting and Demo Day. This takes place of the 30th of March. The first Friday of April sees the commencing of the Resort Open Singles. Open week this year starts on Monday the 13th of August and it commences with the Senior Fourball, followed by the Ladies Fourball on the Tuesday. The Thursday and Friday of Open Week see the Singles Vpar and Stableford competitions. All and all it looks like an exciting year for Fota Island Golf Club. I am looking forward to seeing how every thing unfolds and keeping everyone updated with my weekly blogs!

Ian

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Preparing for Winter Golf

Monday, September 19th, 2011


Well it’s that time of year again when the evenings are getting shorter and the last strands of summer begin to disappear with that Autumnal chill taking prominence. Autumn gradually leads us into the winter months and often a lot of amateur golfers tend to hibernate their clubs. Depending on your location throughout the globe there comes a time every year when golf stops resembling golf. In Ireland that is usually around November time, when the ball seems to travel about 20 yards shorter than it did in August as a result of too much clothing which inhibits any swing fluidity, also, the fairways become slightly slower while the greens seem to become dead and lifeless.

The enforced hiatus from the game during the winter months can often lead to golfers dreading the ensuing March or April when they take to the fairways once again. The clubs will inevitably feel like foreign objects and it can often take two or three solid months of play to rediscover the form of the previous summer. So the old adage that practise makes perfect is even truer for a game such as golf when the skills involved need to be critically precise. The Golf Academy at Fota Island Resort is an ideal environment to hone your skills especially during the winter months with some enticing membership offers at present.

Winter golf can be a different game than the summer variety particularly when jack frost or a hint of snow begins to cover the landscape. But the cold climate should not be an excuse for you not to enjoy the game. Often there are no lines and slow play may not be an issue if there is no one on the course but you! That water hazard you had trouble carrying in the summer months may be frozen and those flies that plagued you during those long summer evenings are no where to be seen. It may not be exactly the same game you played during the summer but if you prepare correctly, it can be just as, if not more, fun and exhilarating.

Some Winter Golf Tips


In his blog, Gareth McShea provides some insightful tips for the amateur golfer when preparing for winter golf:

  • Check your golf shoes and make sure they are waterproof. If not, you might want to consider buying a new pair. When cold weather comes, it brings frost and moisture on the grass along with it. This can soak your feet which can lead to an overall feeling of discomfort. Also, ensure that you have sufficient waterproofs for the wet months ahead.

  • When dressing for the cold, put on layers of clothing, as opposed to wearing thicker items like a lined sweater. Multi layering will provide more warmth and you’ll be able to easily remove a layer if necessary. Under Armour compression garments are great for these times.

  • Always wear a hat that provides warmth for the head and protects the ears. You may not be nominated for the most fashionable person of the year award, but you’ll never have to worry about frostbite, or a headache from the cold.

  • Performance gloves are an essential piece of kit in the cold. New materials have allowed manufacturers to create pairs of gloves which are highly effective in combating the cold and wet. All of this is achieved without any compromise in feel.

  • During cold weather, the air is denser or heavier, which slows the flight of the ball and the distance it will travel. You might have to use more club than normal for a given distance. For example, a 6-iron might have to be used for a distance that would normally require a 7-iron, and so on.

  • With the ground getting softer it is important to keep the grooves on your clubs clean. Clean grooves impart backspin on the ball which in turn creates flight, so include a dry clean towel and a 3-in-1 multi-club cleaner as part of your kit.

  • Your risk of injury increases with cold stiff muscles, so keep moving. This is not the time of year for reading putts from ten different angles (there is no right time of year for that!). If possible get to the club in time to do some gentle light stretching before launching a missile off the first tee or you could partake in some spinning and core classes, enlist in a boot camp, avail of the swimming lessons or indulge in some Ashtanga yoga classes at the Fota Island Spa.



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    Golf & Nutrition

    Monday, July 18th, 2011

    The key to staying energised and focused on the course is to make sure your snacks combine high-fiber carbohydrates, lean protein and a healthy fat. By filling your golf bag with high-protein, high-fiber snacks, you’ll maintain energy and focus needed to sink your putts when it counts. And by staying hydrated, you’ll hit the ball strong and long till the end.

    Ever wonder what the professionals eat before, during and after a round of golf? Well, here you go.

    A sample diet of former world number 1, Nick Faldo.

    Breakfast:

    Mueslie & banana

    Porridge & Honey

    Toast (wholemeal bread)

    Bagel with banana

    Pancakes (wholemeal flour)

    Pre-match snacks (1-1.5 hours before):

    Raisin muffin, rice cakes, bagels, wholemeal bread

    Pre-match snacks (30 mins before):

    Bananas, raisins, malt biscuits, jelly beans, energy bar (glucose) and carbohydrate drink (for energy)

    Pre-match snacks (5-30 mins afterwards):

    Carbohydrate drink, energy bar, fruit bar, bananas, jelly beans!

    Pre-match meal (2 hours before)/Post match meal (evening):

    Rice, Jacket Potato, Baked Beans, Noodles, Pasta, Bread (wholemeal, pitta, bagels), Fish (Tuna, Salmon), Chicken, Humous, Peanut butter, Ice Cream, Yoghurt.

    At Fota Island Golf Club, The Spike Bar is perfect for light snacks before you venture out or for stocking up and re-energising after 9 holes. Once you finish your round, our menu will ideally cater for your all important post golf meal. For more details of our menu, please click here.

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    Golf vs Athleticism

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011

    There is no doubt that golf has progressed into an era of power, athleticism and fitness. Golf’s precise synchronized movements, its mental demands and the training required to master repetition under pressure mirror the very essence of athletics. Even athletes of other sports appreciate the athleticism required for golf at the top level.

    Former Wimbledon Champion Boris Becker:

    “Golf is a different kind of sport than tennis if you’re talking about athleticism. I will say that walking four days in a row is exhausting. Not all golfers are athletes, but there are a lot more today than there used to be”.

    Tiger Woods, who was arguably the catalyst of this era, recently said:

    “You’ve got two guys who used to play basketball are now playing golf and that’s what I’ve been alluding to all these years. We are finally going to get athletes. Guys who can dunk. Guys could have played baseball or could have played football at the D1 level, but no, they are playing to play golf instead.”

    Recent US Open Champion Rory McIlroy may not appear to be the most athletic but don’t be fooled.

    “I’ve always been very flexible, which gives me a lot of speed through the ball. That’s where I get all my distance from. But I’ve started working on stability, injury prevention, because it puts so much load on my lower back during my golf swing. So I focus a lot on stability exercises and core stability. I’ve got a lot stronger over the past year. It’s something that I don’t feel as if I need to work out for two or three hours every day. I just have to keep myself in good shape.”

    The Power of Bubba Watson


    Are you looking for more power off the tee box? Or perhaps more distance with your irons? For practical advice, I find that Core Performance provides some interesting articles and tips. You can even have a look at the exact workout of one the best golfers in the world here. In a few weeks you may soon be ‘bombing it’ like Bubba Watson

    At Fota Island Spa, we provide fitness solutions that range from the full-on focus of morning or evening fitness bootcamps and spinning classes to the dynamic posters of the Ashtanga Yoga to the supportive regime of aqua aerobics. Fota Island Resort’s fitness team will motivate and lead you through the exercise that’s right for you. For more details, please click here.

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    It’s the time of the year to get in gear!

    Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

     

    The New Year calls with its resolutions and good intentions, and Fota Island Resort steps up to the mark with classes for all ages and body types, and for all the fitness levels…including none!

    Fitness Suite at Fota Island Resort

    From the full-on focus of morning or evening fitness bootcamp to the gentler pace of the private swimming lessons, the dynamic posters of the Ashtanga Yoga to the supportive regime of aqua aerobics, Fota Island Resort’s fitness team will motivate and lead you through the exercise that’s right for you.

    Fota Island Resort’s Spinning Academy, situated at the end of a new purpose-built road, will really put you through your paces. Run daily at 7 a.m, 10 a.m, 6 p.m & 7 p.m from Monday to Saturday, the spinning classes cost just €8 for a fun and fast-paced 45-minute indoor cycling class, focusing on endurance and strength while ensuring there is minimal impact on your joints. The workout to upbeat tunes on state of the art Keiser spinning bikes, will increase your heart and lung capacity and tone up legs and bums, while the fully qualified instructors will help motivate and push you towards improved fitness levels. You can even come just the once to try it out and see if it’s the class for you!

    There’s a fitness solution to suit everyone this Winter at Fota Island Resort so get up off that sofa and blow away those cobwebs! For more info visit http://www.fotaisland.ie/Fitness-Classes or contact the Resort on +353 21 4673131.

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    Getting Married?? The Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum takes place this Thursday 9th December. Brides-to-be take note!

    Monday, November 29th, 2010

    The Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum plays host to Ireland’s best and brightest for your wedding, bringing together Ireland’s most sought after Wedding experts for one exclusive evening to answer all your questions and queries.

    With beauty experts, boutique owners, bridal fashions, chef’s expertise, makeup artists, travel information, and glamorous presenter Pamela Flood hosting the evening, Fota Island Resort’s Wedding Forum is an unmissable event & an invaluable resource if you are thinking of tying the knot!

    Phyl Clarke, stylish beauty editor of the Irish Times, will be passing on her extensive knowledge to brides-to-be to ensure their skin looks flawless and picture perfect on the big day. Meanwhile, top Dublin makeup artist Leonard Daly will be demonstrating and revealing his much sought after makeup secrets and tips.

    Sharon Hoey Bridal Boutique will have the new Sharon Hoey collection for 2011 on show as well as that of Olivia Couture, the modern romantic couture gowns exclusive to Sharon in Ireland, and voted by Vogue Brides and Cosmo Brides as some of their favourite wedding designs. For more information on Sharon’s stunning collection you can call 01 676 2772 or email info@sharonhoey.com

    Fionn Davenport will give honeymoon and travel advice on the loveliest locations to unwind after your big day. Fionn reports for leading travel publications such as the Lonely Planet Guides, as well as presenting and contributing to programmes on Newstalk 106.

    Head Chef at Fota Island Resort, Craig Coady, will share his extensive culinary knowledge, assisting you in designing the perfect wedding menu. And Nelius Buckley, the award winning wedding photographer from Kinsale, will advise on how best to capture the day for future reminiscing.

    Super stylish model and TV presenter, and new face of Paco, Pamela Flood will host the evening, which will also include fantastic prizes, great goodie bags and much more!

    All the essentials for making your wedding simple, stylish and stunning are here for you at the one event – the Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum, on Thursday 9th December at Fota Island Resort from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Limited spaces available so please call to book your place on (021) 488 3700.

    To Book your Place:

    Visit www.fotaisland.ie/Wedding-Forum

    Tel 021 488 3700

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    Golf Myths Exposed!

    Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

     

    Have you ever been deceived by a Golf Myth? It may seem harmless but it could seriously impact on your game. I visited the Pro-Shop this week to get the truth behind some common golf myths that are out there.

    #1 Keep your head down

    It’s a widespread belief when playing  golf that you must keep your head down because by lifting your head you may miss or top the ball.

    Verdict: Myth

    Truth: When you keep your head down you often forget to follow and turn as you hit the ball, which can cause transfer of weight and also lead to a lack of distance. Worse again it restricts the backswing and the downswing resulting in a swing that is too tight and one that also restrains your extension.

    Advice: Your head should naturally follow through and go with the momentum of the swing. So loosen up and go with the flow!  Have a look at the Pros in action and watch as their heads turn and rotate towards the target before they strike.

    Ryder Cup 2010 day 4 highlights  

     

    #2 The longer my driver is, the further I’ll be able to hit.

    Verdict: It is true to a certain extent!

    Truth: Many believe that a longer club creates a longer and wider arc and increases the speed the head will travel at. However the disadvantage of playing with a longer driver is that it is more difficult to control and achieve accuracy. The length of the club is the main factor in achieving driver accuracy. Many golfers play with drivers that are in fact too long. Did you know that the average PGA Tour Players plays with a 44.5″ long driver!

    Advice: Custom fitting is advised.  You can get your driver checked at the Pro-Shop to make sure that it is the correct length for you.

     

     

    #3 The lower the loft, the further the ball will go

    Verdict: Myth but this can be achieved if you have the equivalent swing speed to match.

    Truth: However the lower the loft the more difficult it is to launch the ball in the air. It is the loft that determines the distance a driver can be hit. In actual fact, the lower the swing speed, the higher the loft needs to be.

    Advice: The right loft matched with the correct shaft can help achieve this.  Feel free to pop into the Pro-Shop or the Golf Academy where you can get your swing speed measured and find out what driver is right for you. 

     

    #4 Flex ratings are all the same

    Verdict: Myth

    Truth: Flex ratings are not all the same.  They come in Ladies, Seniors, Regular, Stiff and Extra Stiff. Flex rates should be measured according to your swing speed.  The wrong flex rating can’t create correct flight in the ball.  A shaft that is too stiff will cause you to slice the ball and a shaft that is too whippy will cause you to hook the ball.

    Advice: To find out the flex rating of your shaft you can visit the golfers in the Fota Island Pro Shop, who will be able to tell you what stiffness is correct for your swing.

     

     

    #5 To hit a good shot, you must get under the ball

    Verdict: Myth

    Truth: This actually causes a person to top the ball and come out of posture. Remember the function of the loft is to get the ball in the air and it is not the golfer’s job to try and lift the ball.

    Advice: Hit down through the ball and let the loft to all the work.

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    ‘Winter Rules’

    Monday, November 1st, 2010

     

    It’s that time of year again when the wind and the rain take over life as we know it and harsh weather conditions impact the golf course.  Many will notice the sign ‘Winter Rules in effect’ displayed in the Pro Store,  for those of you who are not quite sure what the Winter Rules are, or mean, I will briefly explain.

    ‘Winter Rules’ also called ‘Preferred lies’, are not codified under any of the regular thirty-four Rules of Golf,  instead they fall under the category of local rules.  They cannot be declared in effect by an individual player, only a course, club or committee has the authority to announce ‘Winter Rules’.  So unless ‘Winter Rules’ have been confirmed by one of these parties,  you may not use ‘Winter Rules’ no matter how bad weather conditions are.

    Placing on the fairway and dropping on the rough are the main winter rules which are currently in effect at Fota Island Golf Club.  This entitles a player to mark, clean and place the ball as close to the original spot as possible.  Players may take relief by placing the ball, without penalty, at the nearest point of relief.  ”If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke’. The condition of marking the ball reduces and eliminates many problems such as ‘bumping the ball around’ and ensures fair play on the course.  To avoid penalties you should always mark your ball with either a tee peg, a pitchmark repairer or a ball-marker.  When playing under winter rules you are required to post your handicap score although it will not affect it. On a final note ,no golfer is obliged to play under winter rules when the local rule is in effect.  You are of course entitled to play the ball as it lies if you so wish.

    Please check with the Pro Shop daily to confirm if  ‘ Winter Rules’  are in effect.

     

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    Competition Results

    Monday, August 30th, 2010

    On Sunday the 29th August 2010 we held the Junior Scratch Cup. The results were as follows:
    1st Place – Gavin Kelly – Mallow
    2nd Place – Jonathan Dunphy -Williamstown
    3rd Place – Keith Bermingham -Castletroy
    Best Nett – Gary O ‘Flaherty – Blarney
    Congratulations to Gavin, Jonathan and Keith and thanks to all who took part. It was a great day out for everyone.

    On Friday, 27th August Mr Der O’Neill’s Presidents Prize took place. Congratulations to the following people:
    1st Place-Paul Byrd

    2nd Place -Donal Corbett

    3rd Place-Michael O’Driscoll

    Congratuations to our winners and thanks to everyone who took part.

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    Spinning has arrived at Fota Island Resort

    Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

    We here at Fota Island Resort are thrilled to announce the launch of our new spinning classes.What exactly is spinning you may ask? Well I am here to explain the new class that will have you in tip top shape this summer. Spinning is a popular group class. According to Ivillage health.com Spinning is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a specially designed stationary bicycle called a spinning bike. As you pedal, motivating music plays and the instructor talks you through a visualization of an outdoor cycling workout.During the class you vary your pace — sometimes pedaling as fast as you can, other times cranking up the tension and pedaling slowly from a standing position. This helps you to focus inwardly and work on your mind as well as your body Spinning helps to increase ones lower body and cardiovascular fitness.Spinning takes place at Fota Island Resort Golf academy every Tuesday morning at 7am & 7pm and Wednesday evening at 7pm sharp. Our spinning classes last for 45mins. To participate in our classes one must bring a towel and plenty of water (you will need it after this intense workout). The cost per class is €8 for non members and €5 for members. Pre booking is essential to reserve your place on our spinning bikes please call the spa on 021 467 3131

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