Lahinch eager for start of 117th ‘South’

For all the excitement generated by last month’s announcement that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is to be played at Lahinch Golf Club next summer, there is plenty to whet the appetite in 2018 as the famous links plays host to the 117th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship.

The Golfing Union of Ireland’s oldest amateur “major” makes its annual visit to the prestigious Clare links next month as 150 leading amateurs tee it up for a 36-hole qualifier, with the leading 64 progressing to battle it out in matchplay and for the honour of joining an impressive list of past champions, as well as defending titleholder James Sugrue of Mallow.

With entries set to close at midnight on Wednesday, June 27, the race is on to complete the elite field, which last year saw 10 of the successful Irish Home Internationals team participate.