Mullingar Scratch Trophy confirmed but behind closed doors
John Plunkett (Captain) with (from left) Aidan Davitt (Sherry Fitzgerald-Davitt & Davitt), Albert Lee, Paul McCann (Vice-Captain) and Peter Bastable (Director, Pinergy) at the launch of the Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt / Pinergy sponsored 2020 Mullingar Scratch Trophy which will be played on the 15th and 16th August. Picture by Pat Cashman.
The prestigious Mullingar Scratch Trophy will be played behind closed doors for the first time in its 58-year history from August 15-16 as amateur golf prepares to return without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GUI officials confirmed yesterday that strict safety measures will be in place with players urged to arrive no more than 30 minutes before their tee times and use mobile phones as scorecards as championship golf resumes with the Irish Boys Amateur Open at Thurles Golf Club from August 10-12.
"In the initial stages, our plan is to play behind closed doors," said the GUI's Championships Manager, Mark Wehrly. "There are categories of attendees that will be able to attend but from the point of view of public health measures, it is for the best for everyone."
The 58th edition of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy will be played along the same lines and while a clash with the US Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes prevents Kinsale's John Murphy from defending his title, a quality field is expected for the first of four counting events for the 2020 Bridgestone Order of Merit with reigning Bridgestone Order of Merit champion Robert Brazill from Naas confirmed in the field.
"As much as I would love to be back, I've just travelled back to America and will be competing in the US Amateur which unfortunately clashes with Mullingar," said University of Louisville star Murphy.
Rob Brazill (Naas). Picture by Pat Cashman.
"It's a quality tournament which is steeped in history and it deservedly attracts one of the best fields every year on the Irish amateur circuit. I'm looking forward to following it and seeing who comes out on top this year."
The Mullingar Scratch Trophy was first played in 1963 when Joe Carr won by two strokes from the 17-year-old Scottish prodigy Finlay Morris and Malahide's Tom Craddock to become the first in a long line of prestigious winners that includes Ryder Cup players Des Smyth (1972), Philip Walton (1982) and Paul McGinley (1991) and major champions Darren Clarke (1989), Pádraig Harrington (1994), Rory McIlroy (2006) and Shane Lowry (2008)
"We are really looking forward to welcoming all the players to the 58th consecutive staging of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy and very grateful to Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt & Pinergy for coming on board as sponsors again this year," said John Plunkett, Captain of Mullingar Golf Club.
Aidan Davitt, Managing Director of Sherry FitzGerald Davitt and Davitt, said: "We are delighted to be associated with and continue our sponsorship of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy for the fourth year. This is a much-anticipated tournament and will see the cream of Irish amateur golf competing at the renowned Mullingar Golf Club.
"Sherry FitzGerald Davitt and Davitt are delighted to be able to support its local golf club during testing times and relish the relief and enjoyment that a return to competitive golf will bring to so many across Ireland. I want to wish Mullingar Golf Club and all the competitors the very best during the championship.
Peter Bastable, Director of Pinergy, said: "We're delighted to be a sponsor of this year's prestigious Mullingar Scratch Trophy that has over the years shone a light on some great Irish golfing talent and I'm sure this year we will be no exception.
"At Pinergy, we partner with some of Ireland's leading property and commercial businesses, providing them with insights and better ways to optimise their energy. We're really looking forward to seeing some great golfing talent emerge at this year's event to give us all an insight into some champions of the future."
Live scoring will be available here
