| Home : Latest News 21st June 2009: Erry & Tullamore Opens/Scratch Cup Round-Up Erry Open & Scratch Cup
Following the open fourball event the Erry Scratch Cup took centre stage on another fabulous day on the Bank Holiday Monday. Competitors travelled from as far as Drogheda and Limerick to take part in the prestigious event in an attempt to steal the title away from the local favourites, including defending champion Anthony Galvin of Tullamore. However, to the delight of the home spectators it was to be another local home favourite that would prove too strong as Erry's Joseph McGrath Jnr. fended off the challengers over the 54 holes to claim victory. Five times a runner-up in the Erry Scratch Cup Joe finally captured the elusive title on the very same day his sister Tracey captured her first Senior Ladies National title in Casteltown at the National Matchplay finals, it was a day to remember for the McGrath household. His impressive path to victory included rounds of 13 under par and 8 under par, which helped to put him in a commanding lead following 36 holes on 21 under par. Entering the final 18 play-off on Monday evening his nearest rivals included Graham Newman (Erry), Sean Goggins (Cement, Drogehda) and Pacelli Darcy (Bruff, Limerick). However, a steady final round of 7 under par secured victory for the Erry clubman on a great occasion for the club as they boosted another All-Ireland Champion and Scratch Cup victory respectively. Congratulations to Joe and Tracey on their terrific performances recently. Congratulations to all the prize winners over the long weekend and thanks to all those who played and supported our open. Tribute must also be paid to the committee and grounds men who made the weekend such a success. The prize winners of the Scratch Cup were as follows:
Ger Walsh (Erry Chairman) & Joseph McGrath Jnr. (2009 Erry Scratch Cup Winner) / Prize Winners: Pacelli Darcy & Eoin Mitten 
Tullamore Open & Scratch Cup The Tullamore Club played host to a very successfull Open and Scratch Cup with local Offaly players dominating in the winners inclosure. The Open Scotch Foursomes started early mid week with numerous groups travelling from far a field making a long weekend of it in the heart of the midlands. The course was in great order but the wind blew strongly each day to restrict the normal high scores associated with this event. The prize winners in the Open Scotch Foursomes were as follows:
Sunday saw the annual Dick Abraham Memorial Scratch Cup take centre stage at Tullamore, always a popular annual event of the June calender. Last year's winner Ray Murphy was unable to defend his title leaving the field wide open for the title. Over 120 competitors played on Sunday in the windy but warm conditions. There were some impressive scoring over the 36 holes with the top 12 and ties guaranteed a final spot in the playoff. Harry Hanlon set the early pace with rounds of 48 and 44 (16 under par) to take the club house lead, a lead which he would hold going into the playoff by one shot. Those closest to him included Erry's Larry Maher Jnr. on 15 under par and Pat Malone of Custume on 13 under par, others on 12 under par included Tracey McGrath (Erry), Darren O'Connell (Tullamore) and Martin Kenny (Custume). The playoff got underway at 6.30pm with John Browne teeing off the first alongside Tullamore talent Ashley Lowry, a local Junior player who shot an impressive 10 under par for 36 holes. However, it was to be another triumphant day for Larry Maher Jnr. in Tullamore as he shot a 44 in the final round to take the title from Tracey McGrath, who shot a final 46 to put up a gallant challenge on the day and finish one ahead of Sean Downes who shot a 46 also in the playoff. Larry added another scratch cup win and a second of 2009 in Tullamore, can he make it a hat-trick come August when the Joe Pyke Memorial Scratch Cup takes place at Tullamore?? Well done to all the prize winners and to those who supported the week long event and also to the Tullamore club on having the course in top condition once again. The prize winners of the Scratch Cup were as follows:
Others that made the cut, set at 98 (ten under par), for the playoff included: Harry Hanlon - Granard (92) Pat Malone - Custume (95) Martin Kenny - Custume (96) Darren O'Connell - Tullamore (96) John Fleming - Tullamore (97) Noel Duffy - Ferbane (97) Patsy Reams - Ferbane (97) Anthony Galvin - Tullamore (97) John Browne - Collinstown (98) John Cullen - Glenville (98) Davey Morrissey - Lakeside (98) 
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