Bumper Walker Cup field expected at Lahinch for 128th South of Ireland

(Left to Right): Gerry Pierse (Pierse Motors); John Gleeson (Captain, Lahinch Golf Club); Dave Prendergast (Chairperson Munster Region, Golf Ireland). Picture © Brian Arthur

Lahinch is expecting a star-studded field for the 124th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship with a host of potential Walker Cup stars expected to tee it up from July 22-26.

Great Britain and Ireland captain Dean Robertson will name his ten-man side after the championship, and he’s made it clear that a big performance in the ‘South’ will be worth its weight in gold when it comes to making the team to face the USA at Lahinch from September 5-6.

"I'm looking for form players, looking for winners in the team," Robertson said. "Who's to say the winner of the South of Ireland isn't a Walker Cup player this year?”

Co Louth’s Stuart Grehan, who won the ‘South’ in 2015 and recently captured the East of Ireland, will be among the home players fancied to make Robertson’s side.

Grehan followed in the footsteps of previous South of Ireland winners such as John Burke, JB Carr, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, when he joined clubman Gavin Tiernan in the Great Britain and Ireland side that lost to the USA at Cypress Point last year.

Pierse Motors Volkswagen will continue its sponsorship of Ireland’s oldest Championship.

Gary Pierse, Managing Director of Pierse Motors, said: “Our partnership with Lahinch Golf Club and the South of Ireland Championship has gone from strength to strength over the past ten years and we are delighted to continue to support this prestigious tournament.

“I am sure this year’s championship will be another huge success, especially with it being played just five weeks out from the Walker Cup.”

John Gleeson, Captain of Lahinch Golf Club, added, “The members of Lahinch, and the entire local community, always look forward to the week of the South.

“Last year’s championship was one of the most memorable ever, with our own Jonathan Keane becoming the first homegrown player to win the South in 57 years. ]

“With the Walker Cup following fast on the heels of the South, this year’s championship field promises to be one of the best ever assembled.”

The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday, 24 June, and Dave Prendergast, Chairperson, Munster Region Golf Ireland, is excited about what’s in store.

“The South of Ireland Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious championships in the world and we wish all the competitors well when the tournament commences in a few weeks,’ he said.

“The roll of honour of past winners truly reflects the high esteem in which the South of Ireland is held by both the players and supporters of amateur golf.”