Galbraith’s presence in Lahinch a sign South of Ireland back on the up

The draw for the West Clare hotels South of Ireland Championship beginning at Lahinch on Saturday suggests the event is again attracting some of the biggest names in amateur golf.

For a couple of years the quality of the entry fell somewhat below what one would have expected for the oldest provincial championship in the country.

Just like the professional game, the balance of power nowadays rests north of the border in the amateur game and that’s one good reason why the presence in the Lahinch field of John Ross Galbraith, this year’s winner of the Irish Close Championship, and Chris Selfridge, who retained his North of Ireland title last week, is welcome.