Grant Thornton Scratch Trophy

It's hard to believe but it is all of twelve months since the young Offaly protege, Shane Lowry conquered the Mullingar course to claim the Grant Thornton Scratch Trophy.A lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and indeed across the course since that marvellous weekend and indeed, it has been a momentous year for the Esker Hills clubman.Now, twelve months on all roads lead to our Belvedere venue on Sunday and Monday next for the forty seventh running of our Annual Scratch Trophy competition, which is again generously sponsored by Grant Thornton, (a member of Grant Thornton International Ltd). The winners of this prestigious event down the years have been a veritable 'who's who' of Irish (and indeed British) amateur golf, with lots of Walker Cup and Ryder Cup players having succeeded in the event down the years. Recent winners include Athlone's Colm Moriarty (twice), Rory McIlroy, one of the current golden boys of world golf, in 2006 and of course the aforementioned Shane Lowery, the holder of the Irish professional open championship (as an amateur), who is currently a member of the European pro tour, who pipped our own Dessie Morgan last year.Des will be in the field this year of course, as will the cream of Irish golf, Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin), Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Alan Dunbar (Rathmore), Simon Ward (Co.Louth), who lost a playoff to McIlroy in '06, Kian Curley (Newlands), Dara Lernihan (The Castle) and of course the up and coming Keelin McDonagh from Athlone. At time of going to press all of the above are fighting it out in the South of Ireland Championship in Lahinch. Play will commence at 6.30am on Sunday morning and the field will be reduced to fifty and those tying after the first thirty six holes, for a further two rounds on the Bank Holiday Monday. Those coming to watch are as always very welcome, and are asked, toarrive early to avoid congestion at the entrance.Weather again the spoilsportBoth last Wednesday's major competition, Mr. Captain's prize to the ladies, and Sunday's (Legal Profession, Mullingar members) competition were washed out by the atrocious July weather we are having. Both are rescheduled with new dates to be announced.Long HandicapLast Thursday's Men's long handicap event, which was generously sponsored by Nicholas Murtagh, Ballynacargy attracted a fine entry. The scoring, as you will see was excellent, with the following results: winner - Paul McGann (18), thirty seven points; second - Gerry Farrell (20), making a welcome visit to the enclosure with thirty two points. Third prize went to the consistent Gerry Eyres (18) also returning thirty two stableford points. Prize presentation, along with the previous week's event, takes place on this Thursday, July 30.