Rafferty headlines top-class field for Laytown and Bettystown Scratch Cup
Walker Cup player Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) currently ranked 19th in the world, will be one of the favourites for the Laytown and Bettystown Senior Scratch Cup on March 22
The countdown is on for the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point and many of Ireland’s leading amateurs will use the 36-hole Laytown and Bettystown Senior Scratch Cup to prepare for battle at Co Sligo.
Sponsored this year by JK Office Furniture (the prize fund will offer the maximum allowed under the Rules of Amateur Status), the event takes place on Sunday, March 22 and has already attracted a stellar entry.
Walker Cup players Caolan Rafferty (the current world No 19) and Paddy Gribben will be joined by a host of championship winners, internationals or interprovincial players such as Peter O’Keeffe, Colm Campbell, Gerard Dunne, Keith Egan, Sean Flanagan, Joe Lyons, Gary Cullen, Hugh Foley and Jack McDonnell.
There will be two shotgun starts on the day with a partial redraw for the final round with the top-nine players going off the first tee.
The 36-hole battle over the lovely Co Meath links should give the field plenty of competitive practice for “the West”, which has a new format this year — 54-hole strokeplay qualifying with the top 16 going through to the matchplay.
Galway’s Ronan Mullarney, who is now a professional, won the Laytown and Bettystown Scratch Cup last year, carding rounds of 70 and 66 to win by five strokes from home player Alex Maguire on six-under 136.
To enter 2020 Laytown and Bettystown Scratch Cup, sponsored by JK Office Furniture
Call the Pro’s shop on 041 9827 170 (Ext. 1)
Entry fee €50, includes lunch (hot plate)
Entries close Wednesday, March 11 with the lowest 66 handicaps making the field
