It's one of Ireland's most iconic parkland classes and as such it's only fitting the Alister MacKenzie layout at Cork Golf Club has a superintendent of equal standing. Aged 64, Anthony Gillis may not have been around when the great designer MacKenzie cast his eyes on the Little Island landscape back in 1924 but the club has been such a component of the Corkman's life which he is celebrating his 50th year on the payroll. Beginning at Cork GC in 1964 as a teenager, Gillis has worked on every blade of grass in his half century there, a source of pride for the man born and raised on Little Island and still dwelling merely a half a mile in the clubhouse. "I've enjoyed every day of it, I must say," he said. "The club happen to be very good to me. I've always been entirely content with where I was. "Every day is different and I like being outdoors, one minute you are one conclusion of the course and the next you're at the other and I could not envision myself sitting behind a desk, not at all. I must be outside and moving around." A lot has changed in terms of the machinery and the substances Gillis and his team, including son Charlie, use today in comparison to his early days at the team and he has seen plenty of change about the location. "One of my first jobs was planting trees, mainly Scots Pine," Gillis said, "and now I'm cutting some of them down. It is a funny feeling seeing the trees nike air max 90 cheap.ou put in the ground as saplings now being felled as mature trees. "But we make an effort not to interfere with [MacKenzie's] layout if we can help it. It's a cherished piece of land and really natural. I guess we do not value it as much when we spend so long around the place as nike air max 95 cheap.o the visitors we speak to around the course. But it's a very natural area and with the limestone quarry as part of it every hole is different." With Gillis outlasting some of the mature trees he planted on the course, there's nothing to imply he isn't going to be around Cork Golf Club for another 50 years but he said: "I don't understand if I will be around that long but I mean to keep going as long as I can help out. "Myself nike air max 90 black.love getting up early in the morning and heading off to work and there is not too many fellas that can say that, but I do." Clearly something must pay the price for Gillis's undivided focus towards Cork Golf Club and it becomes clear when he's asked about the health of his own back garden not half a mile from the clubhouse. "I wouldn't like to show you it," he says with a chuckle. "Would you believe I've had no grass for a short time. Myself put a patio in, I do n't need to get home and look at a lawnmower." Clarke feels right at home with rocker as neighbour For a year Darren Clarke(pictured) has represented Shropshire golf course The Astbury as its touring pro and now the 2011 Open champion is putting down some roots there in the English midlands. Clarke, along with supervisor Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, have each gotten a holiday home on the property, two of 11 being assembled for sale at an expected cost of 500,000 (630,000) by The Astbury's owner KK Downing. Downing may be known to some as a founding member of heavy metal band Judas Priest, the guitarist joining the group in 1969 and just leaving in 2011. To Clarke, though, he's merely Ken. "The building of the holiday homes will formally begin in September but myself hope to start spending more time here," Portrush resident Clarke said. "But wherever I go I'm always wearing the standard Astbury clothing and lots of people have already been asking about the place. "It is already got an enormous reputation for the entire course but the greens particularly are stunning because they are USGA spec. "Astbury is a particular place and Ken has put as much time and effort into this position." Parkhill sets sights on Far East It's not just Rory McIlroy giving Nike Golf a boost today. As the Holywood star plays to add another PGA Championship title to his important tally at Valhalla this week, fellow Ulsterman Simon Parkhill is setting his sights on the Far East having only been made general manager of Nike Golf Japan. Parkhil has worked for Nike since 2001 and having served as Nike Golf Sales Director of UK and Ireland and then Sales Manager for the Swoosh's football brand in the area the former Castlerock golfer returned to Nike Golf as its Senior Commercial Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2012. Two years on and Parkhill is heading east. "I have mixed feelings, depressed to leave Nike Golf EMEA at this exciting time for the brand and the business. But myself'm equally excited to be taking up the challenge with Nike Golf in Japan; our possibility of growth is limitless," the Irishman said. Mental health on players' minds at Walk in My Shoes Start There was a spring in the measure for all concerned on the PGA EuroPro Tour at Mount Wolseley in Tullow this week as the Co. Carlow class staged The Walk in My Shoes Open, benefiting the St Patrick's Mental Health Foundation. The 54-hole tournament, won by England's Stuart Archibald by two shots ahead of Irishman Michael McGeady, found the 120-plus field of up and coming professionals from across Europe promote positive mental health during the event. The 'Walk in My Shoes' campaign, run by St Patrick's Mental Health Foundation, raises funds to provide mental health services, support and information to vulnerable young adults through the state --- with Ireland having the unenviable status of one of the highest suicide rates in the 14-24 age group in the EU. It was inspired by a 16-year old in St Patrick's University Hospital who wished his friends could 'walk in his shoes' to understand what he was going through. Royal Dublin professional and tournament ambassador Niall Kearney, who concluded in a tie for 22nd place, said: "It was amazing to be playing so close to home and supporting such a great cause." To become involved with the campaign or make a donation, visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie Murray turns up heat on way house Massereene helper master Noel Murray took the honours at the Delgany Pro-Am on Sunday thanks to a great four-under-par back nine 31. Having made the turn in level par, Belfast golfer Murray, 23, carded a four-under 65 to secure a two-shot triumph over David Ryan (Cahir Park GC) at the County Wicklow course. Old Conna's Neil O'Briain concluded in third after a 68 with Adare Manor Resort's Graeme Dunlea back in fourth on grade par. Earlier in the week, Ballyliffin's Damien Mooney have been appreciating good times on the circuit. After a runner-up finish behind Galway GC's Patrick Small at the Oughterard ProAm, Mooney carded back to back rounds of 67 to successfully defend the Cairndhu Pro-Am title in Co. Antrim. That gave him a persuasive four-shot victory over the trio of Robert Giles (Greenore), O'Briain and Cian McNamara (Monkstown), overcoming the overnight lead created by Giles and McNamara's five-under opening rounds of 65. The pair could just follow that up with a 73 apiece as Mooney's uniformity won the day. Strong Irish team set for Donabate date There are always plenty of demands on one's time but golf fans could find much worse things to do than get along to Donabate Golf Club and support the Irish girls in the Home Internationals, starting tomorrow. Thursday will find Ireland face Wales and then completes its agenda on Friday against Scotland. Best of luck to the Irish girls.

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