Ronan Rafferty
Name:
Ronan RaffertyCountry:
N. IrelandBorn:
Jan 13, 1964 in Newry, N. Ireland.Original/Home Club:
Warrenpoint GC and Ardglass GC.Occupation:
Professional golfer, TV & radio commentator; golf writer.Turned Pro:
1981Website:
https://www.ronanraffertygolf.comEurope
Hohe Brucke
Played as the Hohe Brucke Austrian Open (Aug 12-15; Eurpn Tr event). Rafferty (N.Ire) beat Anders Sorensen (Den) in a playoff. [West course, Colony Club Gutendorf, Himberg, nr Vienna].
Europe
x
Played as the Portuguese Open (March 19-22). Second-placed Anders Forsbrand (Swe) finished 1 shot behind Ronan Rafferty (N.Ire). [Vila Sol Resort, nr Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal].
Europe
PLM
Played as the PLM Open (Aug 2-5; in 1991 the PLM Open was merged into the Scandinavian Enterprise Open to create the Scandinavian Masters tournament). Second-placed Vijay Singh (Fiji) finished 4 shots behind Rafferty (N.Ire). [Bokskogens GC, Bara, nr Malmo, Sweden].
Europe
Ebel
Played as the Ebel European Masters Swiss Open. Second-placed John Bland (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Rafferty (N.Ire). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Awards
Volvo
Rafferty (N.Ire) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 1989 Volvo Order of Merit winner, with earnings of £400,311 on the Tour. Jose Maria Olazabal (Esp) was second with £336,239; Craig Parry (Aus) was third with £277,321.
Europe
Lancia
Played as the Lancia Italian Open. Second-placed Sam Torrance (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Rafferty (N.Ire). [Red course, GC Monticello, Cassina Rizzardi, nr Como].
Europe
Scandinavian Enterprise
Played as the Scandinavian Enterprise Open (Aug 3-6). Second-placed Michael Allen (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rafferty (N.Ire), who recorded his second European Tour win. [Royal Drottningholm GC, nr Stockholm; at the time known as Drottningholm GC].
Europe
Volvo
Played as the Volvo Masters (Oct 26-29; Eurpn Tr season-ending event). Second-placed and defending champion Nick Faldo (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Rafferty (N.Ire). [Valderrama GC, San Roque, Spain].
Europe
Equity & Law
Played as the Equity & Law Challenge (Oct 17/18; unofficial Eurpn Tr money event over 54 holes; pts accumulated based on eagles and birdies). Second-placed and defending champion Barry Lane (Eng) finished 1 point behind Rafferty (N.Ire). [Composite course, Royal Mid-Surrey GC, Richmond, Surrey].
Aus/NZ
Nissan-Mobil
Played as the Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open (Dec 10-13). Ronan Rafferty (N.Ire) beat Larry Nelson (USA) with a par at the seventh sudden-death playoff hole. [Wellington GC, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt, nr Wellington, NZ; from 2004 Royal Wellington GC].
America
x
Played as the Venezuelan Open. Won by 18-year-old Rafferty (N.Ire), who recorded his first win as a professional. [Lagunita CC, nr Caracas, Venezuela].
Amateur
R&A
Played as the Boys Amateur Championship. Rafferty (N.Ire) beat D. Ray 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final match. [Kilmarnock (Barassie) GC, Troon, Ayrshire].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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