TJ Ford’s season has had just about everything so far but he hopes to put four rounds together as he makes his first appearance in four years at the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club.
The former South of Ireland champion joins a list of proven winners like Rob Brazill, Colm Campbell, Caolan Rafferty, Robbie Cannon, Quentin Carew and defending champion Alex Maguire in Baltray.
“Looking forward to getting going big time the weather has been lovely the last couple of days and the course looks to be playing really firm and it should be a good week,” said Ford on the practice range.
“It worked out well schedule wise, the last couple of years it has clashed with the St Andrews Links Trophy so yeah just worked with bank holidays and it’s a course I enjoy playing so I’m delighted to be back here.
“It’s a great track with a lot of history holding the East and of course Shane Lowry winning the Irish Open in 2009 as an amateur. It’s a good testing golf course there are birdies out there, when the wind is like this and the rough is up it will catch you out as well. I’m expecting some decent scores out there.”
Ford balances work and golf now as a part-time amateur and while he admits he has struggled for consistency to start the season there have been flashes of brilliance throughout the spring period including briefly setting the course record at the Island during last month’s Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship.
“My game is up and down I just haven’t really found consistency at the moment but a lack of competition might have something to do with that but the plan is to enjoy the week, I have a nice group with Rob Brazill and just go and enjoy it.
“I’ve shot some good scores, I shot a good score in the Munster Championship and followed it up with another nightmare so just trying to get rid of that, I’m not too sure how I do that and I don’t know what game will show up this week but we’ll see.”
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