Countdown to Trade Electric Group Castletroy Scratch Cup as entries close today

Pat Murray. Picture: Niall O'Shea

County Sligo’s TJ Ford and reigning Connacht Strokeplay champion Jake Whelan are among the leading contenders for Saturday’s  Trade Electric Group-sponsored Castletroy Senior Men's Scratch Cup.

While the Castletroy Women's Scratch Cup, also sponsored by Trade Electric Group, takes place on the following day, local golf fans will see some top-class golf over 36 holes on Saturday.

Former South of Ireland champion Ford will face stiff competition from the likes of Grange player Whelan and Royal Dublin’s Jack McDonnell at the lovely Limerick parkland.

Two experienced campaigners cannot be ruled out — the in-form Pat Murray representing Tramore, who is looking to win again at Castletroy following his 2015 victory and build on his run to the quarterfinals of the South of Ireland at Lahinch.

The 18th at Castletroy Golf Club

Carton House’s Paul O'Hanlon, the 2008 Irish Close champion and former professional, is always dangerous in strokeplay, while Boys internationals such as Galway Bay's Rory Gallagher,  No. 1 in Boys Order of Merit, will be joined by Enniscorthy’s Sean Cooper, who played in the recent European Boys  Team Championship.

The Castletroy Men’s Senior Scratch Cup has been played since 1948 for the Major HK Murray Trophy and is considered one of the most prestigious scratch cups in the country,

Entries will be taken up until 5 pm today, Thursday.  

Owing to demand, the cut may be lower than the advertised 2.4 WHS, and a waiting list is likely. 

Golfers from Cork, a county with an impressive track record of winners at Castletroy, once again feature prominently in the draw.   

Last year's champion David Kitt is unable to compete this year as he is playing at the World Universities Championships in Finland.  

Additionally, the Castletroy GC Women's Scratch Cup, also sponsored by Trade Electric Group, takes place on the following day, Sunday, 1st September.   

Revived in 2023, the competition was formerly known as the South of Ireland Ladies Scratch Cup.  

Past winners include such stalwarts of Irish women’s golf as Mary McKenna, Barbara Hackett, Eileen Rose Power, Claire Hourihane and Eavan Higgins.