What next for retiring Cork GC manager Matt Sands? ‘Play more golf, I suppose’

After three decades as Cork’s longest-serving general manager, Matt Sands tells Kevin Markham he’s calling time on a distinguished career

Matt Sands, general manager Cork Golf club, who is retiring from his position at the end of August. Pictures: Eddie O’Hare

Cork Golf Club is famous for many things, with its limestone quarry leading the way. It created a remarkable setting for golf holes that were first played over while the quarry was still in operation. This was back in the late 1890s. Later, Harry Vardon (1911) extended the club to 18 holes, before Dr Alister MacKenzie (1925) rerouted the course, added three new holes, created new greens and added sand-filled bunkers — quite the novelty back then. And all the while the quarry remained at the heart of the course.

Changes have continued over the decades, most notably by Martin Hawtree in 2013, as well as a massive clearance plan to expose the famed quarry rock which had become overgrown in recent times.