West will be a test despite slew of absentees

Royal Dublin's Hugh Foley is seeking his fifth amateur "major" at the scene of one of his greatest triumphs.

AMATEUR OPEN: There was a time when every Irish amateur worth his salt would be steeling himself to battle the elements in the West of Ireland Amateur Championship at Rosses Point today. Picture by Pat Cashman

There was a time when every Irish amateur worth his salt would be steeling himself to battle the elements in the West of Ireland Amateur Championship at Rosses Point today.

Sadly, those days appear to be over.