Lee Valley Set for a top class Scratch Cup event

The Lee Valley Scratch Cup is just over a week away and the 2025 staging promises to have another top class field. 

The event has moved from it’s regular May date due to works on the course in Lee Valley. 

The second green in the Christy O’Connor signature course has been completely redesigned and rebuilt, and it has fully grown in over the past four months. 

Tournament Director Vincent Drinan and the tournament committee decided to postpose the event until the end of the season.

With it’s new October date, it represents one of the last chances to win some silverware, and Vincent is in the final stages of planning. 

“As a club we are really looking forward to holding our SSC on Oct 4th and 5th this year,” said Vincent Drinan. 

“Our main reason for having it in October is because our new second green did not open until June 1st so it will be a new experience for those who travel from afar to play our Scratch Cup.

“The field as always is of very high quality with players like former champion's Colm Campbell, Gary O'Flaherty, Keith Crowley, Dave O'Donovan and others like Dave Reddan, Evan Farrell already entered and a few more expected to enter before we close for entries on September 24th.

“As always the event could not go ahead without the longtime generous support of our main sponsors Boyle Sports along with McGuirks Golf, who have come on board this year as a co-sponsor. 

"We are confident as always that Lee Valley will be in top shape for the event with The Keohane Family and their staff pulling out all the stops to make it as enjoyable as possible for the weekend."

Now in its 18th year, the tournament will see 81 top-ranked players vying for glory. 

After 36 holes on Saturday, the top 30 returned Sunday for a final round showdown. Jack Murphy, representing Douglas Golf Club, emerged as the standout performer in 2024, carding consecutive rounds of 69 to lead the field heading into the final day. 

Murphy went on to win and add his name to the roll of honour. The Lee Valley Scratch Cup has long been a proving ground for future stars. 

Shane Lowry, now a major-winning professional, claimed the title in 2009 before turning pro. 

Over a dozen past competitors have since joined the professional ranks, underscoring the tournament’s reputation as a launchpad for progress.

The 54 hole WAGR counting event takes place over Saturday and Sunday. BoyleSports are the title sponsors of the event, the long-time supporters renewed their commitment to the event immediately after the 2024 staging.

This weekend Kinsale hold their Senior Scratch Cup on Saturday with a field of 48 playing the 18 hole shoot out. In an unfortunate scheduling clash, Muskerry are also holding their senior scratch cup on Saturday.

East Cork were presented with the Harbour Shield recently. 

The presentation was at an end of season social day in Monkstown Golf Club attended by all 12 teams participating. 

The Harbour Shield was first played in 2009 for Juveniles of minimum 10 handicap. 

Six teams were represented in the initial competition and it has been expanded over the years to its current twelve.

The victorious team were Luke Murphy, Tristan Sweeney, Daire Crowley, Kian Davis, Ian Lambe, Conor McSharry and Jack Cahill. 

It’s ten years since East Cork last won the competition, this was the third time to win, they won previously in 2012 and 2015. 

Douglas A won the Girls Harbour Shield, beating Lee Valley in the final at Muskerry last month. 

They too received the trophy at Monkstown last weekend.

Bandon held their final of the ODM Financial Advisors open series last week and Barry Scott was the winner. Brian Connolly took second place and Noel Bambury was third. 

This is the 14th year that ODM has sponsored the series and this year the event saw record numbers of ladies and gents playing. 

Last month Donal O’Donovan won the Cork inter-club scratch cup. 

The event saw a large field play in the qualifier with the top 16 going through to the matchplay stage. 

Over the following weeks it was Donal O’Donovan who came through the four rounds to win.