SEVENTEEN SCOTS COMPETING IN IRISH MEN'S OPEN AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

By ED HODGE, SGU PRESS OFFICER

After the successes of Richie Ramsay, Lloyd Saltman and Gavin Dear in recent years, a number of Scots will seek to emulate their achievements at the Irish Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship this weekend.

First played in 1892 and held every year with the exception of the War Years up to 1959, and revived in 1995, the Irish Amateur can boast a strong history of producing great champions. This weekend (Friday to Sunday), a strong field will seek to earn the 2013 prize at The Royal Dublin Golf Club.

Back in 1995, a certain Padraig Harrington took the title before another future Major champion, Louis Oosthuizen, triumphed in 2002. One Rory McIlroy was runner-up 2006.

A trio of Scottish wins have been enjoyed in recent years with Perthshire’s Gavin Dear, a member of Scotland’s victorious 2008 World Amateur Team, winning in 2009, former Open Silver Medallist Saltman taking the spoils in 2007 and two-time European Tour winner Ramsay the victor in 2005.

Kirkhill’s Paul Shields finished inside the top 20 last year, when home player Gavin Moynihan (The Island) triumphed.

This year, a total of 17 Scots have crossed the Irish Sea bidding for glory, with Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), pictured, among them.

The SGU Men’s Performance Squad player posted a top-10 finish at the Lytham Trophy last weekend as he seeks to continue to press his Walker Cup claims.

St Andrews teenager Ewan Scott is also playing, as he bids to further progress on the Men’s stage, while Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) will hope to improve on his missed cut at Lytham.

Fellow Men’s Performance Squad members Fraser McKenna (Balmore), Ross Bell (Downfield), James White (Lundin) and Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) also tee up, as does 2012 SGU Men’s Order of Merit champion Scott Borrowman.

>> Click here for the draw and scoring at the Irish Open Stroke Play Championship