Golfers prepare for tougher Irish Amateur Close Championship

Pat Murray (Limerick) will seek to defend the Golfsure sponsored Irish Amateur Close Championship title at The Royal Dublin Golf Club from June 19-23.

He will face stiff competition from a field that includes the Irish Amateur Open Champion, Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) who triumphed in May at the same North Dublin venue.

Also included in the field is Rory Leonard (Banbridge) who won the West of Ireland at Co Sligo in April and Lytham Trophy holder Paul Cutler (Portstewart) who holds the lowest handicap in the field, at +4.

The cut fell at 0.9, with four players balloted in off that handicap to the field of 150 competitors. The cut this year is half a shot lower than last.

This will be the 11th time the Irish Amateur Close Championship will be staged at The Royal Dublin Golf Club, the first being held in 1895 and the most recent in 1986 when John McHenry captured the title.

Albert Lee (GUI Hon. Secretary) said: “As we saw at the Irish Amateur Open, Royal Dublin will pose a serious challenge to all of the competitors and the Champion that emerges will have won the title on a very testing golf course.”

Simon Russell (Golfsure) said: “Once again we are delighted to sponsor the Irish Amateur Close Championship and look forward to crowning another Irish Champion at Royal Dublin.”

The Championship was first held in 1893 at Royal Portrush and has been played each year since, with the exception of the war years.

Former winners of the Championship include Paul O’Hanon (2008), Rory McIlroy (2006 and 2005), Brian McElhinney (2004), Graeme McDowell (2000), Peter Lawrie (1996), Padraig Harrington (1995), Darren Clarke (1990) and Paul McGinley (1989).