The Lee Valley Scratch Cup takes place this weekend and the 2025 staging promises to have another top class field.  The event has moved from it’s regular May date due to works on the course in Lee Valley.  The second green in the Christy O’Connor signature course has been completely redesigned and rebuilt, and it has fully grown in over the past four months. Tournament Director Vincent Drinan and the tournament committee decided to postpose the event until the end of the season.

With it’s new October date, it represents one of the last chances to win some silverware, and Vincent is in the final stages of planning.  “As a club we are really looking forward to holding our SSC” said Drinan.  “Our main reason for having it in October is because our new second green did not open until June so it will be a new experience for those who travel from afar to play our Scratch Cup.”

“The field as always is of very high quality with players like former champion’s Colm Campbell, Gary O’Flaherty, Keith Crowley, Dave O’Donovan and others like Dave Reddan, Evan Farrell entered.”

The cut for the end of season event fell at 0.4, and others at the top end of the field include Zach Devlin, James Walsh, Paddy Quill and recent winner of Mitchelstown Scratch Cup Jonathon O’Sullivan.  Robert Walsh and Keith Crowley are among the other former winners in the field.  Holder Jack Murphy returned to the US at the end of August and will be unable to defend his title.

The 54 hole WAGR counting event takes place over Saturday and Sunday.  BoyleSports are the title sponsors of the event, the long-time supporters renewed their commitment to the event immediately after the 2024 staging.

“As always the event could not go ahead without the longtime generous support of our main sponsors Boyle Sports along with McGuirks Golf who have come on board this year as a co-sponsor.  We are confident as always that Lee Valley will be in top shape for the event with The Keohane Family and their staff pulling out all the stops to make it as enjoyable as possible for the weekend.

The Lee Valley Scratch Cup has long been a proving ground for future stars. Shane Lowry, now a major-winning professional, claimed the title in 2009 before turning pro.  Over a dozen past competitors have since joined the professional ranks, underscoring the tournament’s reputation as a launchpad for progress.