Lee Valley Scratch Cup: Quality field as Robbie Walsh defends his crown

THE field is building for the 2024 BoyleSports Lee Valley Scratch Cup which takes place in just over a week. 

Already there are close to 50 entries of scratch or better, with Walker Cupper Caolan Rafferty leading the field with a handicap index of +5.6. Rafferty leads a number of players from the north east with Eoin Murphy, Evan Farrell and Gavin Tiernan all set to tee it up on the 20th and 21st of April.

Rafferty and Murphy both played last year, and after getting the know the course on the opening day, and they both finished tied for fourth place. 

Evan Farrell is also on the start list and he’s in good form at the moment, reaching the quarter-finals of the Connolly Motors West of Ireland in Co Sligo last week.

Reigning champion Robbie Walsh will lead the local contenders, the Douglas member will be hoping for a repeat, and multiple winner of the event Gary O’Flaherty will also be back looking to take the trophy home again.

Fota Island’s David Howard was another golfer who had a good run in the West, reaching the final 16, and Robbie Walsh’s brother James will be another one to watch. Ben Murray, Ian Bohane and James Murray will lead the charge from the home club, Lee Valley are still waiting for a home winner since Keith Crowley won in 2011.

Tournament Director Vince Drinan advises that while there is plenty of interest, entries close tomorrow so anyone interested in entering should do it before the deadline passes.

The weather continues to be a major factor on golf in Cork, many courses were closed again last week and through the weekend as the incessant rain continues to fall. Many clubs have deferred medal competitions and the pressure will grow as the Golf Ireland inter-club competitions are due to start shortly.

Golf Ireland issued an advisory to clubs last week which extended the preferred lies period. 

Normally preferred lies (lift, clean and place) would end on at the end of March, but given the levels of rainfall, this will now continue until the end of April.

IMPACT

The weather also had an impact on Flogas Irish Boys Championship which took place in Ballybunion last week. The incoming Storm Kathleen meant that Friday’s final round was cancelled, and second round leader Sean Keeling was named the winner. There was a strong Cork challenge in the opening round. Monkstown’s Cian McDonnell led the charge with a one under par round to lie in second place after 18 holes. His opening round included six birdies, and on day two he another two and an eagle. Unfortunately for McDonnell he also had a few bogies and dropped to 19th place in the final standings.

John Doyle finished in 5th place thanks to rounds of 71 and 73. The Fota Island member played very steady golf over the 36 holes, carding 30 pars. Cork Golf Club duo Paddy Quill and Frankie Walsh both finished in a tie for 10th place. Sean Deasy was a few shots back, as were Ronan O’Keeffe, Barry O’Connell and Jack Murphy.

TOP

Kanturk’s Rory McCarthy finished in the top 10 of the Ulster Boys U16 which was held during the Easter mid-term break. Monkstown’s Cian McDonnell and Cork’s Oran Barrett both finished in the top half of the field in tough conditions in Castlerock Golf Club.

Golfers should also note that there are changes to the WHS handicapping system that will come into effect as soon as qualifying competitions start. One of the biggest changes being made is to the Course Handicap calculation. The Course Handicap calculation will now take into account the difference between the course rating and the par of the course, so instead of playing to the course rating, you will be playing to par. 

If the course rating is higher than par, you will receive more shots. If the course rating is lower than par, you will receive not as many shots.

Another change is how nine-hole scores apply to your handicap record. Previously a score of net par was applied for any holes not played. This will now change to an expected score, based on the scoring pattern of your handicap range. This will produce a final score that will more accurately reflect the players' ability.