Some of Ireland’s top amateur golfers are heading for Lee Valley this weekend for the Mardyke Arena Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup. The 54 holes competition has been running since 2009 and has consistently attracted a top class field. One of the key measures of the success of the event is that at least 11 participants have turned professional since it started in 2009. They include 2009 winner Shane Lowry who played in The Masters recently and 2014 winner Rory McNamara who turned professional shortly after winning last April. Past winners Gary O’Flaherty and Kieran McCarthy have confirmed for this weekend’s staging as have several Munster and Internationals. A full field of 72 category one golfers are expected to start.
Pat Mulllins, Captain of Lee Valley was delighted to launch the event last week: “This is a great occasion and an important event for Lee Valley, we’re very proud that we host an event that is rated in the top five in the country. We’re very proud also that the event will be attracting world ranking status next year which will open it to a wider international field.” He was keen to point out the joint effort that’s needed to stage the event, citing the great work the course owners, the Keohane family put in to the preparation: “I’d like to thank the Keohane family for all their work in preparing for the competition. They take as much pride in the event as we do and a lot of work is going in to prepare the course. It’s a tall order for Jerry and his team to have the course ready in the spring but they never fail to have a great course for the competition. It really is a joint venture between the owners and the club. Great credit too must go to our Tournament Director Vincent Drinan. Vincent has been Tournament Director since the start and he’s built up a great relationship with the top amateur golfers in Ireland. We’d like to thank Mardyke Arena UCC for their continued support. Without a sponsor it would be impossible to run anything and the support is essential in helping to subvent a costly event to run.”
Rory McNamara being presented with the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup, also included are Vincent Drinan, Tournament Director; Cecil Tassie, President Lee Valley, Patsy Ryan, Mardyke Arena (main sponsor), Declan Ryan, Captain Lee Valley; Paul Keohane, Lee Valley Golf & Country Club.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
The Mardyke Arena are now in their sixth year sponsoring the competition and General Manager Patsy Ryan said “It’s not a difficult choice to support the event, we like to be associated with success and events of with a high profile and it’s something we do to promote our brand. In terms of golf there has been no better success story than the Lee Valley senior scratch cup. It’s been great to work with the successive club committees and the Keohane family, especially when you see the commitment that goes into the event.
It promises to be a busy weekend for the both the golfers and the organisers, Pat Mullins described what’s ahead for the club: “The first round starts at 8am on Saturday so people will be assembling from 6.30pm. After a quick lunch turn-around the second round will get underway around 2pm. On Sunday those that make the cut will go out in reverse order. A 54 hole event is a huge undertaking for the club and I must thank the members of the ladies and men’s clubs for giving up their times over the weekend, and for supporting the event.”
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