The start list for next month’s Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship has been confirmed after the handicap index cut fell at +1.8 for 132 players.
The total field size will be 138 with six players set to claim the additional spots following the West of Ireland qualifier. The handicap cut for the qualifier was +0.2.
The 102nd West of Ireland will take place from April 18th – 22nd at The County Sligo Golf Club where Keith Egan defends his title.
County Sligo Men’s Captain Robbie Fitzpatrick, whose wife Niamh is also the club Lady Captain, expressed his love for the championship.
“It’s been a big part of life for Niamh, myself and our family,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’ve hosted families over the years, hosted dinner parties for players, so it means a lot for us to be involved as Mens’ and Ladies’ Captains this year, and to have Connolly Motor Group commit for another three years of support.
“It allows us to do so much for the event and for the players, and to bring live radio coverage of the event on our local radio station, Ocean FM, which has proven extremely popular. Connolly Motor Group are a family-run business and they’ve got a lot of customers here at County Sligo Golf Club and a lot of potential customers who come to the West of Ireland Championship every year, so it’s a win-win for all involved.
“Having the Championship at a slightly later date this year allows us to get more players in as well which is another bonus, because this is a Championship that everybody wants to play in, not just because it’s the first major of the year, but it’s an iconic Championship and the roll of honour includes multiple major champions in Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry, among others, right up to last year’s winner Keith Egan who will be back to defend his crown.”
Winners of this famous championship include Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington and Harry Diamond.
Among the big names looking to add their name to that illustrious list will be Irish Close champion Thomas Abom (Edmondstown), four-time major winner Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint), former Irish Close winner Quentin Carew, Paul Coughlan (both Castleknock), Brian Doran (Millicent) and former South of Ireland champion TJ Ford (Co. Sligo) while Stuart Grehan tees it up for the first time since reclaiming his amateur status and he will represent Co. Louth Golf Club.
Full start list HERE
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