20/12/2025
As Junior and Adult golf in Clare takes its end-of-year break, everyone is looking forward to Christmas and the new year, and all the excitement they will bring. Before then, let's first look back and share with you what a great year 2025 has been for golf in Co. Clare.
๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ๐.In 2025, several new winners emerged in various golf championships. Cathal Rochford from East Clare won the Boys Senior Parkland Championship. Gavin Norton from Dromoland Castle claimed victory in the Boys Senior County Matchplay Final. Paul McGann, also from East Clare, triumphed in the U16 Parkland event. MJ Hehir from Spanish Point won the U14 Parkland Championship, while Ross Forde, also from Spanish Point, secured the title in the U14 Matchplay Championship.
๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ผ๐น๐ณ ๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ. This new event was added to the Claregolf calendar this year. The match, held during the Easter holidays, featured teams from East Clare and Shannon. The format consisted of six holes of Foursomes, six of Fourball, and six of individual match play. The true spirit of sportsmanship was evident at East Clare, as players exchanged warm smiles and firm handshakes throughout the day, both during play and at the end of each match. Both sides are excitedly looking forward to the next match in 2026, which will take place at Shannon Golf Club.
๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐ข๐ณ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ. This year, Jonathan Keane, a local boy from Lahinch Golf Club and a previous winner of the Claregolf Boys Parkland Championships, was crowned the South of Ireland Open Champion. He clinched the title by sinking a five-foot birdie putt on the eighteenth green. Hard work creates champions, and Keane put in the effort to achieve this success.
Ladies' Bridgestone Order of Merit. Local Clare girl Aideen Walsh from Lahinch was crowned the Bridgestone winner for 2025 after delivering outstanding performances in five championships. Her exceptional results throughout the year earned her a place on the Home International team, where she contributed to her team's victory in the international tournament held at Woodhall Spa.
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ.This year marked the introduction of the All-Ireland Inter-College Golf Championships, featuring both Category A and Category B. Maynooth College defeated University College Cork to win the Category A title. Two members of the winning Maynooth team were Eoin Magill from East Clare and Tom Clancy from Doonbeg. Both players are past champions of the Claregolf Senior Boys Parkland and Matchplay Championships.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐.๐ข๐ would like to express our gratitude to all the supporters, clubs, and volunteers involved in junior golf here in Clare. A special thank you goes out to all the golfersโjuniors and adultsโwho participated in our county events, the National Golf Ireland Championships, and interclub competitions throughout the year. Your enthusiasm and dedication to the sport are what keep this small county at the forefront of Irish amateur golf.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2026.
