TWO remarkably precocious talents are closely identified with the majestic links at Royal Co Down, where the first stroke play qualifying round of the Irish Amateur Close Championship takes place today. Indeed it will be fascinating to see how the country's current young talent measures up to the standards set there by Jimmy Bruen and Ronan Rafferty.
The Bank of Ireland sponsored event is returning to this venue for the first time since Rafferty captured the title in stunning fashion in 1980. And it is encouraging to note that despite anxiety prompted by the current unrest in Derry, southern players have been far more enthusiastic about travelling to Newcastle than was the case 16 years ago.
That was the occasion when, as a mere 16 year old, Rafferty became the youngest winner of the title, inflicting some serious grief along the way. In an event that was match play throughout, he won his first match by six and five against Richie McDonnell of Laytown and Bettystown and reached the last four through victories over P J Waddell of Knock (2 and 1), Finbarr Ronan, Co Louth (8 and 6), Paraic O'Rourke, Kilkenny (5 and 3) and Paddy O'Looney, Lahinch (4 and 2).
Then Rafferty had his closest match, a one hole victory over David Long in the semi finals. But he regained earlier supremacy by thrashing the hapless Michael Bannon (Belvoir Park) by 8 and 7 in a thoroughly one sided final.
Royal Co Down had earlier been the scene of some splendid heroics from a teenage Bruen. In 1938, he emulated the achievement of Lionel Munn by completing the double of the Irish Amateur Open and the Irish Close titles in the year. As it happened, his victim in the final of the "Open" at Newcastle was no less a figure than James Mahon of Co Sligo, who was crushed by 9 and 8.
A year later in the Irish Open Professional Championship, Bruen set a course record 66 at Newcastle, which has yet to be beaten. Indeed at that time, he also held the course records at St Andrews New, Royal Portrush, Muskerry, Macroom, Portmarnock, Baltray and Cork and had tied Bobby Jones's amateur record of 68 for the Old Course at St Andrews.
Though Newcastle has changed little since Bruen's day, competitors will not be playing the full championship stretch in this weekend's qualifying. In the interest of course maintenance, the medal tees will be in use while a particularly forward tee, which reduces the ninth from a 486 yard par five to a 431 yard par four, means that the overall par is 71, as opposed to 72. The championship tees may be in use, however, when the 64 qualifiers commence match play on Monday.
The field is suitably strong, with the inclusion of the four, current provincial champions Garth McGimpsey (West), Noel Fox (East), Michael McGinley (North) and Adrian Morrow (South). And the most recent winner, Peter Lawrie, will also be in action, only five days after gaining a six stroke victory in the Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
Then there is the reigning Irish Open Strokeplay champion, Keith Nolan, along with Walker Cup representative Jody Fanagan, who was with the Bray player at Woodhall Spa earlier this week for a St Andrews Trophy panel session.
But the organisers are becoming used to the idea of not having a defending champion. David Higgins, the 1994 winner, had departed to paid ranks before last year's event at Lahinch and the champion on that occasion, Padraig Harrington, is now making a hugely impressive impact on the professional scene.
Still, there needn't necessarily be a new champion after the final is played next Wednesday afternoon. For the roll of former champions includes McGimpsey and Eddie Power, though a considerably less serious challenge will come from Royal Belfast's Robert Pollin, who won the title at Co Sligo in 1973.
Apart from the title, a tremendous incentive, particularly for challengers such as Lawrie, will be the chance of claiming a place in the Ireland team for the senior Home Internationals at Moray, Scotland on September 11th to 13th. But above all, there is the thrilling prospect of playing a truly great links.
