The Mullingar Scratch Trophy gets underway on Sunday afternoon, with a high-quality field coming to the Westmeath venue.
Now in its 59th year, no member of the host golf club has won the famous title. One player looking to change that this weekend is Adam Smith.
A former Irish Under-16 Boys Champion, Smith is looking to create a little bit of club history, by lifting the title on Monday evening.
“Growing up as a junior player, you always want to be that guy that plays in the Scratch Trophy. Bar bringing a pennant back to the club, playing in the Scratch Trophy is one of the biggest things a Mullingar player can do. It’s an event you want to play in.
“Knowing the course will be an advantage, but I wouldn’t say it’s huge. It’s not like what members usually play throughout the year. If I was ever to pick an event to win, it’d be this one. It’s the one you want, and work towards it throughout the year.
Recent North of Ireland champion Alex Maguire, South of Ireland champion TJ Ford and 2020 AIG Irish Close champion Hugh Foley are among those players competing over the Bank Holiday weekend, and Smith says it shows the strength of the competition in Mullingar.
“The course is in immaculate condition. People come and play it once, and always come back. It’s a real club event, and has that feel to it. Smith has played in the event on five previous occasions, and has a one top-10 finish. As Mullingar awaits their first winner of the historic competition, Smith hopes he can break the duck for the club.
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