Local knowledge proved crucial as Jake Whelan and Sean O’Connor teamed up to win the 36-hole Dublin Scratch Foursomes after a countback at Grange on Sunday.

O’Connor and reigning Mullingar Scratch Trophy holder Whelan followed an opening 77 on the par-71 Sheahan Course with a one-under 70 to edge out Hermitage’s Stephen Kinch and Luke Brannigan by virtue of their superior second round on five-over 147.

Powerscourt’’s David Joyce and Brian Jackson also shot 147 to finish third while the best first-round gross went to former West of Ireland championship runner-up Jack Pierse and Dylan Harbourne with a 73.

Dun Laoghaire’s Robert Abernethy and Richard Sykes took the afternoon gross with a 73 while the nett prizes went to some familiar names in Lucan’s Eoin Field and Pio O’Leary in round one and Banbridge’s Jim Carvill and Gordon Haire in round two, both with two-over 73s.

There was a high-quality entry for the Keegan, Meredith and Williams Insurances Ltd sponsored event with 54 pairs entered and players as Carvill, Alex Gleeson, Dan Holland, Paul O’Hanlon, Paul Flynn, Des Morgan, Marc Nolan and Mark Ryan all making the trip to Rathfarnham.

Dublin Scratch Foursomes, Grange (Sheahan Course, Par 71)

Sunday, 10 April, 36 Holes

Overall

1. Jake Whelan (Grange) & Sean O'Connor (Grange) 147 118

2. Stephen Kinch (Hermitage) & Luke Brannigan (Hermitage) 147 L18

3. David Joyce (Powerscourt) & Brian Jackson (Powerscourt) 147

4. Eoin Marsden (Castleknock) & Matthew Grehan (Tullamore) 148

5. Dan Holland (Castle) & Alex Gleeson (Castle) 149

Nett 

Eoin Field (Lucan) & Pio O'Leary (Lucan) 147

1st Round

Gross

Jack Pierse (Grange) & Dylan Harbourne (Grange) 73

Nett

Oisin O'Reilly (Grange) & Charlie Hendrick (Grange) 73

2nd Round

Gross

Robert Abernethy & Richard Sykes (Dun Laoghaire) 73 (L9)

Nett

Jim Carvill & Gordon Haire (Banbridge) 73