Book to celebrate 50 years of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy

Mullingar Golf Club members will continue to celebrate the golden jubilee of its most prestigious competition by launching a commemorative book on Friday next.

The book, edited by Shay Smith, is a collection of articles and photographs submitted by numerous contributors, celebrating 50 years of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy, known colloquially as the Mullingar Scratch Cup.

The competition is perhaps the most prestigious event outside of the championships, and is listed among Europe’s top amateur events, due to the ranking of those taking part.

The list of past Mullingar Scratch Trophy winners is a veritable who’s who of Irish golf – from the legendary JB Carr, Tom Craddock, Philip Walton, Des Smyth, to modern household names like Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and of course, Rory McIlroy, who won the competition in 2006.

For the most part, the book follows a chronological format, but there are in-depth articles focusing on big names like Harrington and McIlroy, and their association with Mullingar’s golfing crown jewel, which has been contested since 1963.

Friday night’s book launch kicks off at 9pm at the clubhouse. Mullingar Golf Club acknowledges the generous sponsorship towards the publication from Mullingar Credit Union (also celebrating their golden jubilee this year), St Francis Health Village, Mullingar and Grant Thornton Limited.