Just four scratch men scrape into "West" draw

Plus five handicapper Richard O’Donovan from Lucan is the low man in the West of Ireland field. Picture by Pat CashmanHarry Diamond faces the high quality field and some serious opposition from international team mates Richard O’Donovan, Dermot McElroy and Reeve Whitson when he begins his defence of the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Championship at County Sligo on March 29.

The handicap cut off for qualifying fell at 0.0 - just four of 11 players with that handicap made it on ballot - compared to 0.3 last year when there was a 138-man field at Rosses Point.

Co Louth veteran Barry Reddan, the 1978 champion who is now playing off 1.1, is one of 81 players who must battle for three spots in the 123-strong field in a new, 18-hole strokeplay qualifier on the Wednesday before the Championship proper.

The qualifier has been introduced this year to reduce the field size given the lack of daylight in late March. And it has led to a terrific handicap scramble for places in the field with 89 players off plus one or better.

Former East of Ireland winner O’Donovan is the low man in the field off plus five with Ballymena talent McElroy the next best off plus four as he seeks his first major title.

1. Richard O’Donovan (Lucan) +4.7
2. Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) +3.6
3. Henry Featherstone (Ringway, UK) +3.4
4. Reeve Whitson (Mourne) +3.0
5. Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park) +2.9
6. Gary Hurley (West Waterford) +2.9
7. Gavin McKenna (Fortwilliam) +2.9
8. Rory McNamara (Headfort) +2.7
9. Gavin Moynihan (The Island) +2.7
10. Pat Murray (Limerick) +2.6
11. Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr) +2.6
12. Simon Ward (Co. Louth) +2.5
13. Brian Casey (Headfort) +2.4
14. Des Morgan (Mullingar) +2.4
15. Ian O’Rourke (Cork) +2.4
16. James McCormick (Styal, UK) +2.3
17. Thomas O’Connor (Athlone) +2.3
18. Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little) +2.2
19. Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) +2.2
20. Jack Hume (Rathsallagh) +2.2
21. Shane McGlynn (Carton House) +2.1
22. Declan O’Neill (Carton House) +2.1
23. Shane Hogan (Nenagh) +2.0
24. Aaron Kearney (Castlerock) +2.0
25. Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo) +2.0
26. Colin Fairweather (Knock) +1.9
27. Eddie McCormack (Co. Cavan) +1.9
28. Alan Thomas (Dungarvan) +1.9
29. Simon Bryan (Delgany) +1.8
30. Gary Collins (Rosslare) +1.8
31. Nicky Grant (Knock) +1.8
32. Jack Haines (Gerrards Cross, UK) +1.8
33. Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle) +1.8
34. Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock) +1.7
35. Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass) +1.7
36. Niall Gorey (Muskerry) +1.6
37. Andrew Hogan (Newlands) +1.6
38. Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) +1.6
39. Ronan O’Reilly (Els Club, Dubai) +1.6
40. Eugene Smith (Ardee) +1.6
41. Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) +1.5
42. Matthew Wylie (Quinta da Ria, Esp) +1.5
43. Barry Anderson (Co. Sligo) +1.4
44. Ben Best (Rathmore) +1.4
45. Michael Buggy (Castlecomer) +1.4
46. Roy Connolly (Rathsallagh) +1.4
47. Sean Ryan (Royal Dublin) +1.4
48. William Hanna (Kilkeel) +1.3
49. Stephen Healy (Claremorris) +1.3
50. Ross Kenny (Naas) +1.3
51. Jonathan Yates (Naas) +1.3
52. Richard Bridges (Stackstown) +1.2
53. Michael Durcan (Co. Sligo) +1.2
54. David Lally (Mullingar) +1.2
55. Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene) +1.2
56. Shaun O’Connor (Luttrellstown Castle) +1.2
57. Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) +1.2
58. Quentin Carew (Edenderry) +1.1
59. Paul McBride (The Island) +1.1
60. Samuel Sloman (Taunton & Pickeridge, UK) +1.1
61. Robbie Busher (Salisbury & South Wilts, UK) +1
62. Harry Coyne (Carton House) +1.0
63. Cian Dullaghan (Greenore) +1.0
64. Mark King (Cregmore Park) +1.0
65. Kelan McDonagh (Athlone) +1.0
66. Simon Miskelly (Knock) +1.0
67. Ian Brennan (Greenore) +0.9
68. Alex Gleeson (Castle) +0.9
69. John Greene (Carlow) +0.9
70. Matt Killen (Hessle GC, UK) +0.9
71. Sean Barry (Muskerry) +0.8
72. Tony Cleary (Dromoland) +0.8
73. Kevin Le Blanc (The Island) +0.8
74. Steffan O’Hara (Co. Sligo) +0.8
75. Kevin Stack (Dungarvan) +0.8
76. Shaun Carter (Stackstown) +0.7
77. Barry Daly (Edmondstown) +0.7
78. Gareth Lappin (Belvoir Park) +0.7
79. Gerard Lawlor (Newbridge) +0.7
80. Michael Sinclair (Knock) +0.7
81. Jack Leacy (Dungarvan) +0.6
82. Patrick McCrudden (Royal Portrush) +0.6
83. Sean Moran (Carton House) +0.6
84. Tom Sloman (Taunton & Pickeridge, UK) +0.6
85. Gareth Bohill (Co. Louth) +0.5
86. Ryan Gribben (Warrenpoint) +0.5
87. Declan Loftus (Castlebar) +0.5
88. Gary McGrane (Royal Dublin) +0.5
89. Colm O’Sullivan (Fota Island) +0.5
90. Mark Collins (Mahon) +0.4
91. Paul Coughlan (Moate) +0.4
92. Niall Foley (The Island) +0.4
93. John-Ross Galbraith (Whitehead) +0.4
94. Ian Kettyle (Rathmore) +0.4
95. Conor O’Rourke (Naas) +0.4
96. David Barry (Mahon) +0.3
97. Stephen Coulter (Warrenpoint) +0.3
98. Rory Leonard (Banbridge) +0.3
99. Kieran McCarthy (Kinsale) +0.3
100. Nick O’Hare (Castleknock) +0.3
101. John O’Neill (Lee Valley) +0.3
102. Ally Purdy (Ballyclare) +0.3
103. Ian Lynch (Rosslare) +0.2
104. Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen) +0.2
105. Stephen McCarthy (Killeen Castle) +0.2
106. Mark Morrissey (Mount Wolseley) +0.2
107. Edward Ryan (Lucan) +0.2
108. Daryl Callister (Mount Murray, IoM) +0.1
109. Sean Cannon (Loughrea) +0.1
110. Robin Dawson (Faithlegg) +0.1
111. Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth) +0.1
112. Paul Flynn (Tramore) +0.1
113. Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) +0.1
114. Joe Lyons (Galway) +0.1
115. James McLaughlin (Portumna) +0.1
116. Lee McMillan (Carton House) +0.1
117. Stephen Brady (Co. Sligo) 0.0
118. Rowan Lester (Hermitage) 0.0
119. Bryan McSweeney (The Royal Dublin) 0.0
120. Andrew Morris (Belvoir Park) 0.0

Download timsheet for West of Ireland Qualifier (Wednesday, March 27)

Download timesheet for West of Ireland Strokeplay Qualifying (Fri-Sat, March 29-30)

County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point. Picture via teetotal.ie2013 West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship
Co. Sligo Golf Club March 29 – April 2
In Association with Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo

7.00 10.09 Qualifier 1 Qualifier 2 Qualifier 3

7.09 10.18 *Sean Flanagan (Co. Sligo) *Enda Cradock (Gort/NUIG) *Ronan Mullarney (Galway)

7.18 10.27 Eddie McCormack (Co. Cavan) Richard O’Donovan (Lucan) Barry Anderson (Co. Sligo/Royal Dublin)

7.27 10.36 Sean Barry (Muskerry) Tony Cleary (Dromoland) Conor O’Rourke (Naas/NUIM)

7.36 10.45 Shane Hogan (Nenagh) Ben Best (Rathmore) Stephen McCarthy (Killeen Castle/NUIM)

7.45 10.54 Michael Buggy (Castlecomer) Roy Connolly (Rathsallagh) Sean Ryan (Royal Dublin)

7.54 11.03 William Hanna (Kilkeel) David Lally (Mullingar) Shaun O’Connor (Luttrellstown Castle)

8.03 11.12 Declan O’Neill (Carton House) Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene/UU) John Greene (Portmarnock)

8.12 11.21 Thomas O’Connor (Athlone) Ryan Gribben (Warrenpoint/UU) Stephen Brady (Co. Sligo)

8.21 11.30 Stephen Healy (Claremorris) Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint/UU) Ross Kenny (Naas)

8.30 11.39 Richard Bridges (Stackstown) Quentin Carew (Edenderry) Jonathan Yates (Naas)

8.39 11.48 Paul McBride (The Island) Harry Coyne (Carton House) Cian Dullaghan (Greenore)

8.48 11.57 Simon Miskelly (Knock) Barry Daly (Edmondstown) Mark King (Cregmore Park)

8.57 12.06 Gerard Lawlor (Newbridge) Shaun Carter (Stackstown) Jack Leacy (Dungarvan)

9.06 12.24 Pat Murray (Limerick) Mark Collins (Mahon) Gary O’Flaherty (Cork)

9.15 12.33 Alan Thomas (Dungarvan) Niall Gorey (Muskerry) Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock)

9.24 12.42 Niall Foley (The Island) Ian Lynch (Rosslare) Kevin Le Blanc (The Island)

9.42 12.51 David Barry (Mahon) Michael Sinclair (Knock) Kevin Stack (Dungarvan)

9.51 13.00 Patrick McCrudden (Royal Portrush) Sean Moran (Carton House) Gareth Bohill (Co. Louth)

10.00 13.09 Steffan O’Hara (Co. Sligo) Declan Loftus (Castlebar) Kelan McDonagh (Athlone)

10.09 13.18 Gary McGrane (Royal Dublin) Colm O’Sullivan (Fota Island) Paul Coughlan (Moate)

10.18 7.00 Gary Collins (Rosslare) Gareth Lappin (Belvoir Park) Shane McGlynn (Carton House)

10.27 7.09 Ian Kettyle (Rathmore) Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen) Stephen Coulter (Warrenpoint)

10.36 7.18 Mark Morrissey (Mount Wolesly) Ally Purdy (Ballyclare) Edward Ryan (Lucan)

10.45 7.27 Lee McMillan (Carton House) Robbie Dawson (Faithlegg) Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth)

10.54 7.36 Sean Cannon (Loughrea) Paul Flynn (Tramore) James McLaughlin (Portumna)

11.03 7.45 Cian Geraghty (L’town & B’town) Bryan McSweeney (Royal Dublin) Rowan Lester (Hermitage)

11.12 7.54 Simon Bryan (Delgany) Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle) John O’Neill (Lee Valley)

11.21 8.03 Rory Leonard (Banbridge) Kieran McCarthy (Kinsale) Nick O’Hare (Castleknock)

11.30 8.12 Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass) John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead)

11.39 8.21 Andrew Hogan (Newlands) Alex Gleeson (Castle) Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan)

11.48 8.30 Henry Featherstone (Ringway,UK) Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) Simon Ward (Co. Louth)

11.57 8.39 James McCormick (Styal,UK) Reeve Whitson (Mourne) Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little)

12.06 8.48 Jack Haines (Gerrards Cross,UK) Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park) Joe Lyons (Galway)

12.24 8.57 Matthew Wylie (Quinta da Ria, POR) Gary Hurley (West Waterford) Ian O’Rourke (Cork)

12.33 9.06 Samuel Sloman (Taunton & Pick.,UK) Gavin McKenna (Fortwilliam) Jack Hume (Rathsallagh)

12.42 9.15 Robbie Busher (Salisbury & SW,UK) Rory McNamara (Headfort) Aaron Kearney (Castlerock)

12.51 9.24 Matt Killen (Hessle, UK) Gavin Moynihan (The Island) Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo)

13.00 9.42 Tom Sloman (Taunton & Pick.,UK) Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr) Colin Fairweather (Knock)

13.09 9.51 Daryl Callister (Mount Murray, IOM) Brian Casey (Headfort) Nicky Grant (Knock)

13.18 10.00 Eugene Smith (Ardee) Ian Brennan (Greenore) Andrew Morris (Belvoir Park)

* Exemptions nominated by the Connacht Provincial Council in accordance with Tournament Condition No. 12.d.

NOTES

Withdrawal – Any Competitor who finds that he is unable to play in the Championship, please notify the Connacht Branch Office immediately on +353 (0)94-9028141 or by Email to guicb1@eircom.net; or 086-6016553 if in the last 24hrs before event. Please also note that as previously highlighted, in accordance with the Tournament Conditions – No Refunds are provided for Withdrawals after the Closing date for Entry has elapsed.

Starting Times – Competitors not on the First Tee when called upon to play may be disqualified.

Accommodation List – See attached List. The Connacht Branch/Co. Sligo Golf Club does not accept responsibility/liability for any of the Premises.

Official Practice Day – Thursday March 28 only, up to 4.00pm. Timesheet – Contact Co. Sligo on +353 (0)71 9177134.

Practice Ground – Players are hereby notified that Practice, other than Pitching & Putting, may only be performed on the Club’s Official Practice Ground on the Bowmore (Right of 5th Fairway) portion of the Links, i.e. Pitching & Putting to a Green provided, only, at the rear of 18th Green.

Note: The Club has a Driving Range installed on Bowmore and this must be used when practicing in this area and it shall be supervised by the Club during the Championship.

Registration – Competitors are to register for the Championship on arrival at the Club, by highlighting their Names on the Board provided.

Reserves – In the event of Withdrawals, Places shall be filled from the next lowest handicap entrant who is currently placed in the Qualifier Field. After the commencement of the Qualifier on March 27th any reserve placements arising shall be filled from the Qualifier results.