Grant Thornton to continue as Scratch Trophy sponsors

Mullingar Golf Club is delighted to announce that Grant Thornton is to continue its sponsorship of this years Mullingar Scratch Trophy which this year will take place on Sunday, August 2 and Monday, August 3.It"s now 46 years since the great Joe Carr won the first staging of this 72 hole stroke event back in 1963. This tournament has attracted all of Irelands leading amateur golfers and indeed in years past many notables from overseas.The current holder of the Mullingar Scratch Trophy, Shane Lowry from Esker Hills is unable to defend his title following his wonderful win in the 3 Irish Open at Co. Louth in May. Shane"s winning score of 19 under par last year was exceptional. The members of Mullingar wish Shane well for the futureEntries to date include all six members of Irelands six man team who will be attempting to win the European Team Championship to be held at Conway Golf Club (Wales) this week for the third year in a row, following victories at Western Gales (Scotland) in 2007 and in Turin (Italy) in 2008.The quality field will include Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) recent winner of the Brabazon Trophy; Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) winner of The St. Andrew"s Links Trophy at the home of golf, St. Andrews. The East of Ireland Champion, Paul Cutler (Portstewart); Simon Ward (Co. Louth) and Darragh Lernihan (Castle).All five are members of the Walker Panel and will be joined in Mullingar by the sixth member of the European team Cian Curley (Newlands), Andrew Hogan (Newlands), Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little), Luke Lennox (Moyola Park), Rory McNamara (Headfort), Aaron O"Callaghan (Douglas), Seamus Power (West Waterford), Cathal O"Malley (Westport), Paul O"Kane (Moyola Park) and all of Ireland"s top youths.This years event is again going to provide a great opportunity for the people of Mullingar and surrounding areas to see in the flesh those hoping to follow in the footsteps of Des Smyth (1972), Philip Walton (1982), Darren Clarke (1989), Paul McGinley (1991), Padraig Harrington (1994) Peter Lawrie (1996), Rory McIlroy (2006) and Shane Lowry (2008).Last years runner-up Des Morgan of Mullingar is expected to make a real challenge to provide the first host club winner.