The 2021 Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Championship gets underway on Wednesday morning at Waterford Golf Club with Ballybunion’s Peter Sheehan taking the opening tee shot two years after finishing second in the event.
2019 champion Barry O’Leary is not taking part, and Sheehan hopes he can go one better this year and lift the Maurice Kelly Trophy.
“It was a great week in Kilkenny”, Sheehan told Golf Ireland when asked about his memories of the event in 2019.
“I injured my back warming up before the first round, and couldn’t take the ball out of the hole for the first two days. I thought I’d only get nine holes in. It was pot luck that I survived the opening round.”
2019 was a brilliant year for the Clare native, where he also won the Ulster Seniors in Lough Erne. He is hoping to find that form again this week.
“I’m happy with how I’m playing, and hopefully I’ll be in the hunt with a few holes to go. I got a few lessons after the Munster Senior Open, and I feel in good shape now.”
Sheehan has had a stellar amateur career, winning the South of Ireland in 1993, but he says a win in Waterford would top that.
“There is nothing like winning a tournament, but to win a national title is the pinnacle of the sport you’re playing.”
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