Scratch Cups

madds

The new season is upon us and the Scratch Cup calendar will shortly be in full swing. I've played in a handful of these over the past few years (Headfort, Naas, St. Margaret's, Dundalk, Westmanstown) with only Headfort being one where I'd make an extra special effort to play in again.

My question to you is which Scratch Cups (Junior or Intermediate) do you look fwd to each year and why?

JCDUB

Madds, I presume you're asking which courses we prefer to play them on as opposed to which we like to play (ie junior, intermediate, senior etc.), as we can only play the one which our handicap allows us to, if ya know what I mean.
As you, I love Headfort, both old and new, and would gladly travel out to Kells any time to play one, however there was a junior scratch in the Links in Portmarnock on Paddy's day and I rang to get on the sheet but when they told me it was €60 I just said no thanks, far too expensive for a mediocre course in my opinion.
Have played in Royal Tara, Ashbourne, and a few more aswell, but Headfort is a fabulous club with two magic courses.

Mister Sifter

The only one i've played in was the Lord Mayors at Clontarf. Hoping to play in a good few this year though.

I've been meaning to make a trip up to play Ashbourne for a while as the pictures on the website look stunning. Took a run round in the car for a look at it a few weeks ago when i was up that way and dying for a game of it now.

60 euro for a scratch cup does seem steep. Was it 36 holes?

Back home, the comps i used to love were the 36 in one day scratch comps. Great days out!

Trampas

Roses Point in 25th May. 36 hole inter scratch.

Booked on the timesheet already.

6 of us go up.

1 is a member so gets us early on the timesheet

ShriekingSheet

I think you naturally tend to focus on scratch cups that you've done well in the past in.

I've played a lot of society, boys, youths, corporate golf etc and I know what courses I've done well on and will always favour a return to them.

Westmanstown, St Margrets, Foxrock, Portarlington, Woodbrook, Woodenbridge, Courtown, Seafield, Newlands and Beech Park are all courses in reasonable proximity that I'd know well and have played well on before.

I'm in the Junior Scratch bracket these days having not played in a couple of years but I have marked down all the dates from the GUI site and I think I have most of the above in somewhere.



Of course, given that I've written this post, I'm garunteed to win none now

Mister Sifter

What's the general handicap cut-offs for each type of scratch cup?

Sligored

handicap 0-4 senior
5-9 junior
10-18 intermediate

ShriekingSheet

Sligored wrote: »

handicap 0-4 senior
5-9 junior
10-18 intermediate

Yeah but be vigilant - this is not set in stone and often fluctuates eg: 4 handicaps being allowed into Junior Scratches and some Intermediates being 9-16 or 11-18. A club can decide themselves. Many highlight this on the GUI listings but some don't so it's worth checking if you're anywhere near the edge.

It may seem silly as it'd make sense to reflect the interclub comp h'cap brackets of Junior Cup, Metro Cup and Senior Cup.

But the changes, such as 4 h'caps getting into JSCs have been made as more guys are playing off lower h'caps and travelling further. As many Scratch Cups limit entries according to h'cap (lowest 90 entrants get in) many 4 h'cappers can't get into Scratch Cups so they're in limbo.

So it's fair in that sense.

madds

JCDUB wrote: »

Madds, I presume you're asking which courses we prefer to play them on as opposed to which we like to play....

Yes, spot on. Of the courses that host SC's which are your favourites?

I see there's a Junior Scratch in Dunmurry Springs on May 5th. That looks interesting. Others which I hope to target are:

Headfort May 31st
Lucan July 31st (my home course )
Knightsbrook Aug 3rd

Would love to play in a few more but with club majors, GOY/Monthly Medal competitions running through the Summer in Lucan it's hard to get a free weekend.

JCDUB

madds wrote: »

Headfort May 31st
Lucan July 31st (my home course )
Knightsbrook Aug 3rd

They all sound nice madds, will defo get to Headfort and am ashamed to say I've never played Lucan so will try to get to it aswell.
Heard mixes reports about Knoghtsbrook but would still like to play it.

Am in Junior category also so keep me posted..

Maybe we should start a thread where we can all put up any opens we are aware of coming up in the near future??
Like the green book on boards??
What you all think?

BTW anyone know if the green book is out for this year yet?

Sligored

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Yeah but be vigilant - this is not set in stone and often fluctuates eg: 4 handicaps being allowed into Junior Scratches and some Intermediates being 9-16 or 11-18. A club can decide themselves. Many highlight this on the GUI listings but some don't so it's worth checking if you're anywhere near the edge.

It may seem silly as it'd make sense to reflect the interclub comp h'cap brackets of Junior Cup, Metro Cup and Senior Cup.

But the changes, such as 4 h'caps getting into JSCs have been made as more guys are playing off lower h'caps and travelling further. As many Scratch Cups limit entries according to h'cap (lowest 90 entrants get in) many 4 h'cappers can't get into Scratch Cups so they're in limbo.

So it's fair in that sense.

i assume the metro cup is a dublin thing

very well run scratch cup in athlone and co sligo and a new one this year in strandhill, sligo.

they are usually great value for a competitive golfer

Matt Santos

Gave West Waterford as good rattle today but came up a few short.
Congratulations to Mr Murray the winner with an impressive 73. A one over Par on a course that was playing well long and with the weather not being kind for the majority of anyones round.
Roll on Youghal in mid April...

Matt

stockdam

Causeway Coast Golf Tournament - 4 rounds over 4 of the best courses on the North coast of Northern Ireland.

f22

Start Date End Date Type of Event Venue

27/04/2008 27/04/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Rosslare

03/05/2008 04/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
The Heath

04/05/2008 05/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-10)
Borris

04/05/2008 04/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Dunmurry Springs

04/05/2008 04/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Greenore

10/05/2008 11/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Rathdowney

11/05/2008 11/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Courtown

11/05/2008 11/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-9)
St. Helen's Bay

11/05/2008 11/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Tullamore

24/05/2008 24/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Bray

31/05/2008 31/05/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Headfort

01/06/2008 01/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Wexford

02/06/2008 02/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-9)
Callan

02/06/2008 02/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Mount Wolseley

02/06/2008 02/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Mount Wolseley

07/06/2008 07/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Co. Louth

08/06/2008 08/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Mullingar

08/06/2008 08/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-11)
Waterford

15/06/2008 15/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Killerig Castle

21/06/2008 21/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-10)
Black Bush

22/06/2008 22/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Kilkenny

28/06/2008 28/06/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Corrstown

06/07/2008 06/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Baltinglass

06/07/2008 06/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Dundalk

06/07/2008 06/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Slade Valley

13/07/2008 13/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Lucan

27/07/2008 27/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Delvin Castle

27/07/2008 27/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Mountrath

27/07/2008 27/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Old Conna

27/07/2008 27/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Royal Tara

27/07/2008 27/07/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Westmanstown

02/08/2008 02/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Beaverstown

03/08/2008 03/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Co. Meath

03/08/2008 03/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Kilcock

03/08/2008 03/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Knightsbrook

03/08/2008 03/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Stackstown

04/08/2008 04/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Laytown & Bettystown

04/08/2008 04/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Woodenbridge

10/08/2008 16/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-9)
Clontarf

16/08/2008 16/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Balbriggan

16/08/2008 16/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-9)
New Ross

17/08/2008 17/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Kilkea Castle

17/08/2008 17/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Naas

24/08/2008 24/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-10)
Beech Park

24/08/2008 24/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (4-9)
Kilcoole

30/08/2008 30/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Forrest Little

31/08/2008 31/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Portarlington

31/08/2008 31/08/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Woodlands

14/09/2008 14/09/2008 Junior Scratch Cup
Hazel Grove

21/09/2008 21/09/2008 Junior Scratch Cup (5-11)
Hollywood Lakes

06/09/2009 06/09/2009 Junior Scratch Cup
Ardee

JCDUB

Nice one Fergal, text me if/when you're booking these and I'll do the same, all my golf mates aren't good enough for that class
Thanks.

Mister Sifter

Great stuff Fergal! You did what i was too lazy to do. Should make a good few of them. Keep me in the loop too lads and i'll do likewise.

f22

JCDUB wrote: »

Nice one Fergal, text me if/when you're booking these and I'll do the same, all my golf mates aren't good enough for that class
Thanks.

Will do John. Show you how the game is supposed to be played, unlike your hack brother!

madds

I'll let those who are interested in playing the Lucan event on July 13th when the timesheet goes up....obviously nearer the time.

JCDUB

Just been having a look there, am away on June bank holiday weekend (have to go, it's a wedding abroad) and miss Headfort AND Mount Wolsley Junior scratches, I'm disgusted!!!

Also going to Electric Picnic and missing my home Junior Scr and monthly medal:eek: Jaysus don't think it's gonna be my year..

A.Partridge

Just to let you know that the Junior Scratch Cup at Skerries GC takes place on Saturday week 3rd May 2008.

Over 36 holes and cost is just €20.

There is a webgolf link to the timesheet on the Skerries website at:

http://www.skerriesgolfclub.ie

Mister Sifter

A.Partridge wrote: »

Just to let you know that the Junior Scratch Cup at Skerries GC takes place on Saturday week 3rd May 2008.

Over 36 holes and cost is just €20.

There is a webgolf link to the timesheet on the Skerries website at:

http://www.skerriesgolfclub.ie

Cheers! Didnt know about that one. Love the 36-holers. Just booked my time.

f22

A.Partridge wrote: »

Just to let you know that the Junior Scratch Cup at Skerries GC takes place on Saturday week 3rd May 2008.

Over 36 holes and cost is just €20.

There is a webgolf link to the timesheet on the Skerries website at:

http://www.skerriesgolfclub.ie

Smashing golf course too

ShriekingSheet

Re: Skerries - how do you book a time?

Graham, is there a slot down beside you?

ShriekingSheet

just got in,

I'm down on my own @ 10.56 if anyone wants to join me.

You need to call 8491567 to pay by credit card so Graham, if you're already down and wanna move to my slot I'm sure they'd do that on the phone?

I dont wann aplay too early cos it's a decent way out for me.

Mister Sifter

Just a reminder, timesheet for Headfort Junior Scratch Cup - 36 holes - opened this morning. Will likely fill up quickly!

ShriekingSheet

Yeah I'm down with lads from work and my bro.

It's a draw for timesheet but 10ish is what I asked for.

Mister Sifter

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Yeah I'm down with lads from work and my bro.

It's a draw for timesheet but 10ish is what I asked for.

Yeah i'm down for around then too. Did they tell you when the draw will be made or when we can expect to find out?

ShriekingSheet

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Yeah i'm down for around then too. Did they tell you when the draw will be made or when we can expect to find out?

No but I'd say pretty close to the day. Everyone has to pay first and all that.

madds

Thanks for the heads up Headfort Graeme. My bro tried the clubhouse at 7pm but no answer, so we're going to try first thing in the morning. Looking fwd to playing the New Course - haven't played that before.

madds

Signed up...either of you guys know when the draw is?

Trampas

Playing my first 36 hole comp in a few weeks time in Rosses Inter Scr.

Any recommendations on keeping the focus for so long as energy levels will be low i guess hitting the b9.

Do you play any different to a 18 hole s/p maybe playing a bit more conservative on the 1st round than normal in a s/p?

Thanks

Mister Sifter

I normally just try and play them as i would two individual 18 hole competitions. Don't set out to play any differently. Just the usual, try and take as few shots as possible on each hole.

One bit of advice i would give for the 2nd 18, is not to get caught up in thinking about how about how your round or certain shots compare to the morning i.e... i was only three over this morning after ten, but i've 3 worse now. Easy to get sidetracked.

I wouldn't recommend carrying your bag either.

leiwand

could anyone tell me what handicaps get into junior scratch and senior scratch.?
cheers,
b

madds

Most of them are limited to hcaps 5-9, but some go to 10, and I've seen one or two go to 11.

leiwand

i play off 16.any comps suitable for that handicap?
cheers,
b

A.Partridge

bruno72 wrote: »

i play off 16.any comps suitable for that handicap?
cheers,
b

Yes. The intermediate Scratch Cups are the comps for your handicap range which usually goes from 10-17 or thereabouts.

Skerries Intermediate Scratch Cup takes place on 14 June and costs just €15 for the round. The timesheet opens on 14 May. Click onto :

http://89.234.64.105/WebGolf1C7.dll/EXEC/3/1sxu4jy0vc2lsa1a2sg2w0v6v5yc

madds

Did anyone take play in the Skerries SC over the BH weekend? I heard a local guy off 4 won it playing in very tough conditions (gale force wind). Not sure of the winning score but SS was 73.

ShriekingSheet

Yeah Madds,

I played. The course was definitely playing tough. I hit Driver, 3w, PW to the 3rd which is a PAR 4!! i got it at a particularly windy time though I think. That said, there was noting unfair about the course set-up. I didn't play well in round one with an 8 and a 7 on my card and birdies were pretty hard to come by. Played better in Round 2 but was knackerd on the last 9. Didn't do much wrong and was still 11 or 12 over! I'll be chalking it up to experience.

I think the lad who won shot +1 and level par for his two rounds which was incredible. I think 2nd place was 11 over which will give you some indication of what a feat it was. I could be wrong but I heard he was a teenager - maybe 15! Anyway, the vast, vast majority of the top scores were from home members.

Graeme played too although our times were an hour and a half apart so I didn't meet him at all. I'm sure he'll give a run down of his own experience.


On the ongoing debate of on course behaviour and is it on the down-turn, given that it was my first JSC in 3 years I must admit, there was some bullsh*t going on about the place that really surprised me. Whether this being my first comp back is a coincidince or this is indicative of how things are now, time will tell.

Overall, I think Skerries is a great track, surprised it's not better known. That said, I'd recommend it on a calmer day and not off the back tees unless your a masochast!!

JCDUB

Yeah I played Skerries too, very hungover and bloody awful weather, certainly nothing to report score wise.
Weather made it incredibly tough, more power to the winner with a score like that..

Mister Sifter

Yeah, was a tough old day lads. Especially in the morning round. Really enjoyed the course though and it gets a big thumbs up from me. Every hole is different and the course is in good nick. I think on a calm day it would be a course to hit a low score on. really enjoyed all the par 5s. All quite short, but the still make you think.

Found it much easier in the afternoon when i knew the course and where to hit the ball.

The wind made it really tough, particularly the first four holes. I'd say the average score on the 3rd must have been very high!

If that's true that +1 / level par won it then fair play. That's some shooting on a day like that!

Trampas

Played Naas Golf Club yesterday (fourball) and it was one of them days. all we could manage was 2 point after 2 point. Just couldn't get that 3 or 4 pointer.

What is it with them greens. This might sound mad but then don't seem to be normal greens. You can see clay on the greens and the run through but its not a normal covering of grass on them that you would see in many places.

Like compacted clay.

ShriekingSheet

Trampas wrote: »

Played Naas Golf Club yesterday (fourball) and it was one of them days. all we could manage was 2 point after 2 point. Just couldn't get that 3 or 4 pointer.

What is it with them greens. This might sound mad but then don't seem to be normal greens. You can see clay on the greens and the run through but its not a normal covering of grass on them that you would see in many places.

Like compacted clay.

Yeah Naas greens can be patchy but they are good. The bald bits, I think, is from meadow grass being either weeded out or killed off with chemicals. It obviously shouldn't be this extreme but it's only certain areas are affected.

It's also quite a flat piece of land which means all the slopes on the greens are artificially created making them harder to read. They got a bit adventurous with the design of some so there's a good few subtle breaks per green, quite like the new Powerscourt.

Mister Sifter

There were loads of singles comps on last weekend but absolutely bugger all in and around dublin this weekend it seems.... anyone know of anything happening?

Can't see much on GUI.

ShriekingSheet

Graeme1982 wrote: »

There were loads of singles comps on last weekend but absolutely bugger all in and around dublin this weekend it seems.... anyone know of anything happening?

Can't see much on GUI.

We've a Medal on Saturday and then 18H SS on Sunday so I'll be there both days since we played our last football match of the season last Sunday.

I wasn't really ready for Saturday in Skerries, still pretty rough around the edges, so I probably won't play in an away comp until Headfort. There's plenty on in South County anyway.

Mister Sifter

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

We've a Medal on Saturday and then 18H SS on Sunday so I'll be there both days since we played our last football match of the season last Sunday.

I wasn't really ready for Saturday in Skerries, still pretty rough around the edges, so I probably won't play in an away comp until Headfort. There's plenty on in South County anyway.

Just a charity team thing on at our place on Sunday ands that's it. I'm looking for a singles open somewhere.

Looking forward to the Headfort JSC. I see they've taken my money so must have got it. Must ring up and see if the draw has been made yet.

Will need to get the SSS from Skerries too.

ShriekingSheet

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Will need to get the SSS from Skerries too.

I heard it was 73 for both rounds which is as per the card. Hard to imagine how it wouldn't be higher but I'd check it if I were you anyway.

I know I have two .1's unless it was 76 haha!

Mister Sifter

Saturday 3rd May 2008
JUNIOR SCRATCH CUP

WINNER - 147 Sam Devey [4]

2nd - 156 Colin Rogan [7]

3rd - 157 Chris Fitzgerald, Lucan [5]

NETT - 145 Paul O'Donoghue [8]

1st 18 Gross 75 - Paul Daniels [6]
1st 18 Nett - 71 Liam Purdy, Malahide [6]

2nd 18 Gross - ?? Donal Heron Clontarf [5]
2nd 18 Nett - 68 Ian Kennedy, Roganstown [9]

CSS Round 1 - 73/CSS Round 2 - 74

Mister Sifter

I had a 79 gross in my second round so will get cut 0.2 for that. Will get 0.1 back for the 83 in the morning though.

The guy who won it shot 1 over for the 36... that's great shooting!! 9 shot win for him.

It'll be senior scratches for him now i'd say!!

madds

I see a mate of mine got 3rd, and I think my bro was beaten on back 9 for the back 18 nett.

Winning score in Seapoint yesterday was 156. A 15 year-old from Lucan playing off 7 was beaten into second by a shot (77-80). The winner got up and down from 60 yards to win it.

Mister Sifter

madds wrote: »

I see a mate of mine got 3rd, and I think my bro was beaten on back 9 for the back 18 nett.

Winning score in Seapoint yesterday was 156. A 15 year-old from Lucan playing off 7 was beaten into second by a shot (77-80). The winner got up and down from 60 yards to win it.

I was playing with the young lad who had the best net in the afternoon. Cracking player. Was level thorugh 14 but had 2 double bogies in his last 4 holes!

Matt Santos

Played the Junior Scratch in the Gold Coast outside of Dungarvan yesterday. Course was in super condition and a great score of 73 (+1) won it. This was some shotting as there was a considerable wind and one of the Par 3's was surely playing 230 yards! So, congratulations to Kieran O'Brien and well played. My heart goes out to Tony Tracey who was second with a 74 (+2) who would have won it had it been another day.
I see there in a past Medal competition that an 80 was a winner so it just puts these two scores in perspective!!
I had a good enough round but finished with a 78 (+6) so nowhere near the two lads but the head is up and I hope I can get one of these mine soon.
Roll on Faithlegg next Sunday morning...