Hermitage set to stage 50th Ladies Scratch Cup
HERMITAGE Golf Club is gearing up for a big year ahead that will feature the staging of its 50th Ladies Scratch Cup on May 1.
The tournament attracts some of the top Irish female golfers each year and boasts an illustrious list of past winners, including the great Mary McKenna and three-time champion, Leona Maguire, who only recently became the first Irish woman to win on the LPGA Tour following her victory at the Drive On Championship in Florida.
Established by Eithne Scott, Joan Wylde and McKenna, the Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup, which is now supported by The Hudson Rooms at Liffey Valley, has grown to become one of the top events on the Irish golfing calendar and, for Hermitage Lady’s Captain Mary Hackett, 2022 is an extra special year with the 50th anniversary of the event.
“I’m a member there 30 years and it is, of course, a great privilege to be a captain for the year that is coming” Hackett told The Echo.
“We have a tremendous course that has been ranked the best parkland course and it’s great to be captain of a club that is so highly-regarded.
“This is the 50th anniversary of the Ladies Scratch Cup. Leona Maguire won it three times. Mary McKenna has won it many times as well. Mary was a top Irish amateur.
“We had Ciara Casey, one of our own members, who has won it and we have another member Kate Lanigan, a very good young player who will compete this year.
“The Scratch Cup was set up by a few of the club members, the likes of Eithne Scott, Joan Wylde, Mary McKenna and it’s being carried on by Denise O’Sullivan and Eileen Burbridge.
“Also on the weekend of our Scratch Cup this year, our professional, Simon Byrne, who is 25 years in Hermitage, is being made an honorary member for his dedication and work with our juniors and other members. That, along with our drive-in, will be done on the May weekend before the Scratch Cup” she explained.
Hermitage Men’s Captain, Stephen Browne is also looking forward to the May Bank Holiday weekend, saying “It’s a big year for the club. It’s the biggest Scratch Cup in the country and to make it to it’s 50th year is a great achievement by all.
“It’s wonderful that we’ve got to this stage. It has such history and it’s always been really well supported by Irish internationals” he said.
