Junior Scratch Cups preference for 18 or 36 Holes

indabunka

Hi all,

Now that the planning starts for this years golf, I was wondering what the general consensus is for those that play Junior & Senior Scratch cups. In the day these used to be 36 hole events but over the past decade or so most clubs have reduced them to 18 Holes.

So whats your preference, 18 or 36?

Benicetomonty

indabunka wrote: »

Hi all,

Now that the planning starts for this years golf, I was wondering what the general consensus is for those that play Junior & Senior Scratch cups. In the day these used to be 36 hole events but over the past decade or so most clubs have reduced them to 18 Holes.

So whats your preference, 18 or 36?

36.
Just an open singles strokes competition otherwise, doesn't really deserve to be called a scratch cup imo. Only drawback is having to tolerate 'runners' after 18 holes, but most people get fixed up eventually.

I can understand how locals who are not eligible for the tournament might get upset, but if it's financially beneficial to the club as well as an advertisement to future prospective members, most will usually see the bigger picture.

big_drive

I play off 5 so i'd be in the junior scratch cup category.

My own preference would be 18 holes

That would be purely from a personal point of view as i wouldn't have the time to get away on a given Saturday/Sunday for 36 holes as the whole day would be taken up. My ideal situation during the summer would be on timesheet for around 8 o'clock or earlier and then have the oppurtunity to be home by lunchtime. 36 holes would be around 8 hours plus travel time, would be difficult to manage for me.

I can see the merits of 36 holes as it takes really steady golf to be a winner over 36 holes whereas one individual could have a great 18 but the 36 is a truer test. However from my point of view it comes down the time factor.

I've noticed quite a few senior comps are 36 but the norm for junior is 18 holes

mag

36, always

Neil Andblomee

18 holes only, 36 is an awful grind, although once in awhile 36 is doable.

ShriekingSheet

36 absolutely.

A lot of the clubs changing from having a long running 36 hole event down to 18 did so because the 18 hole time sheet can be longer, fitting more players in, though the fee can stay roughly the same. On paper, it looked like a way to make a quick buck, but in reality what happened was the scratch cups dropped in popularity, so they actually ended up with less players than they had in the first place.

Then you have other clever clogs saying we'll have a mixed senior, junior and intermediate scratch cup all together on one day. Disaster. And no one gives a ****.

Dr_Colossus

Agree with all the previous posts in favour of 36 holes. Sure it can be a long tough day if the weather or your game is not up to scratch but either way it's a hell of a day out and usually exceptional value with a lot of clubs also including a lunch. Once you get the day pass there no better place and it's a great test of your golf and stamina and you're deservedly tired at the end of play.
Another major factor in favour of having 36 holes is that they warrant a decent journey. For the past couple of years I've made the journey to Carlow to play their JSC which is both an amazing course and value at €30 (lunch also included). However at over an hour's travel each way I don't think I'd be as inclined to play if it was just 18. It's a pity to see so many of the 36 hole events fall by the way side but each year I try and take note of those still offering 36 holes and try and play if at all possible.

Rikand

I don't play in any 18 hole scratch cups except the one in my home club, i will travel for a 36 hole scratch cup though!

36 all the way!

alxmorgan

If I ever make it low enough to play in one then 36 would be great. Make a proper event of it.

TRS30

I played 36 hole JSC in my own club last year and the monthly medal the day after. Was tough going, especially when carrying the bag but over all enjoyed it and 36 holes made it seem 'different' to a normal club stroke play event.

indabunka

Thanks for all the replies lads. My own preference is for 36 holes for all the above reasons, however it does get harder to play 36 as you get older.

The reason I posted the thread was to get some feedback from those that play in Junior/Senior scratch cups as I am try to persuade my own club to revert back to the good old days when each year we had 90 players (and a waiting list of about 30) whose handicap ranged from 5- 9 competing over 36 holes for one of the Oldest Junior Scratch Trophies around.

Needless to say, if they do revert, you are all invited and will be made very welcome.

mag

indabunka wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies lads. My own preference is for 36 holes for all the above reasons, however it does get harder to play 36 as you get older.

The reason I posted the thread was to get some feedback from those that play in Junior/Senior scratch cups as I am try to persuade my own club to revert back to the good old days when each year we had 90 players (and a waiting list of about 30) whose handicap ranged from 5- 9 competing over 36 holes for one of the Oldest Junior Scratch Trophies around.

Needless to say, if they do revert, you are all invited and will be made very welcome.

whats your club?

ShriekingSheet

mag wrote: »

whats your club?

I'm going to guess Naas

mag

i didnt play last yr but naas was 36 up until the year before. its changed?

ShriekingSheet

mag wrote: »

i didnt play last yr but naas was 36 up until the year before. its changed?

Yeah, I think they killed it last year?

indabunka

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I'm going to guess Naas

Good Guess as this also used to be one of the better 36 hole events.

My own club is Royal Curragh, now sheep free for those that haven't played it a while.

ShriekingSheet

indabunka wrote: »

Good Guess as this also used to be one of the better 36 hole events.

My own club is Royal Curragh, now sheep free for those that haven't played it a while.

Oh yeah, I've played that one years ago. I'd go again if it was 36.

mag

me too, theres nearly no 36h jscs left - rosslare, woodbrook, headfort & beaverstown are all i can think of

Dr_Colossus

mag wrote: »

me too, theres nearly no 36h jscs left - rosslare, woodbrook, headfort & beaverstown are all i can think of

Played Carlow, Blainroe, Forrest Little and Lucan as well as Beaverstown this year and they were all 36 holes JSC. It's a pity the likes of Carton House, Powerscourt and perhaps Druid's Glen/Heath don't hold some with the quality two course complexes.

levitronix

Id pick a 36 hole event over a 18 any day, played lucan, Mullingar, bettystown and headfort, highlight of the year was bettystown