Top class field set for Carlow test

Carlow Golf Club hosts the Midlands Senior Scratch Cup next weekend, Sept 8-9Current internationals Harry Diamond, Nicky Grant and Richard O’Donovan will be gunning for glory in the 63rd Midlands Senior Scratch Cup at Carlow next Saturday and Sunday.

Entries close on Tuesday for one of the most prestigious 72-hole strokeplay titles in the country, first claimed by the great Joe Carr in 1950.

Jack Pierse, the 2011 championThe tournament has attracted all of Ireland’s leading amateurs and many notables from overseas with the list of champions boasting such illustrious former winners as three-time major winner Padraig Harrington (twice), former British Amateur champion and Walker Cup star Peter McEvoy, County Louth legend Mark Gannon (five times) and European Tour star Gareth Maybin and 3 time major winner Padraig Harrington.

Jack Pierse, who followed in the footsteps of fellow Grange man David Sheahan by winning last year, will defend the title while former South of Ireland champion John Greene will be hoping to become the first homegrown winner since Jim McVeigh way back in 1980.

Portmarnock’s Stephen Walsh, another former South of Ireland champion, and former West of Ireland winner Joe Lyons from Birr will also tee it up.

Entries close tomorrow, Tuesday, and anyone interested in teeing it up on one of the best parkland courses in the country should call 059 913 1695.