Kinsale’s Senior Scratch Cup is set to be played on Saturday 29^th of June, and with the club hosting the AIG Barton Shield in July, it’s sure to attract a large field of golfers.  The Scratch Cup has a fresh feel as a result of its inclusion on the 2019 Munster Senior Interprovincial Order of Merit. The competition expects a high-quality field of Munster hopefuls, aiming to play their way on to the Munster Senior Interprovincial team.  The South Munster Barton Shield qualifier will take place in Kinsale Golf Club in July. Kinsale won the Munster Barton Shield in 2018 and will be relishing the prospect of qualifying at home. The Scratch Cup will provide an ideal opportunity for clubs participating in the Barton Shield to get acquainted with some of the course changes in advance of the qualifier.  With a gap in the national calendar, it’s also gives everyone a chance at a win at a major local event, one which dates back over 50 years.

The Kinsale Scratch Trophy was first played in September 1961 as a club competition and was won by Cork Golf Club. The format consisted of an inter-club scratch competition for teams of four, involving morning foursomes followed by afternoon singles with all scores to count in a Ryder Cup style format. In more recent years, the Scratch Cup has switched from a team to an individual format intermittently. Kinsale signalled the end of the team format of the competition on a winning note. Kieran McCarthy, Paul Crowley, Shane Kenneally and Keith O’Shea emerging victorious in 2007.

In 2008, the event returned to an individual format and the cup remained in Kinsale after John Keating secured the win. Notable past winners (as individuals and team players) include the Higgin’s family from Cork Golf Club in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Current Waterville Professional Liam Higgins won in 1963, 1969 and 1974.  Others winners include Hugo Leon from Santiago Golf Club in Chile won the Scratch Cup and is currently playing on the European Tour, Gary O’Flaherty of Cork Golf Club (2010 and 2011) and Peter O’Keefe (2017).

O’Doherty, Gahan Advisory (ODG) have generously provided sponsorship for the scratch cup this year which features a first prize of €575 GUI Voucher. Tim Smyth, Director of Business and Capital Solutions at ODG is Captain of Kinsale Golf Club for 2019 and it is with great pleasure that Kinsale can team up with ODG Advisory.  More information about our sponsors can be found at: http://odgadvisory.com/

With some recent upgrades, the course is expected to take centre stage.  The par 72, measuring nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees has seen several changes over the par 27 months, thanks to some nice design work from Ken Kearney.  The scratch cup will provide a great opportunity for competitors to break the current course record of 68 (-4) which is held jointly by Keith Fitzpatrick (Kinsale), Gary Ward (Kinsale), and also Peter O’Keefe (Douglas) who beat Fitzpatrick on the back nine en route to claiming the Scratch Cup in 2016.  Kinsale’s Barton Shield and Senior Cup panel, managed by Ger Cullinane and Gerry Waldron will fancy their chances, even against Munster’s elite.

The competition will be played over 36 holes in a shotgun start format.  The handicap limit is 4 and entries are limited to the lowest 48 handicaps.  The entry fee of €35 includes lunch between rounds, entries can be made by calling Kinsale Golf Club Pro Shop on 021-4774722.