Two courses, Castleisland and Tralee, 72 teams countrywide, it has to be the National Scramble. One of the most popular of the recent national competitions the National Scramble attracts the higher handicap players and gives those who would normally not be competing on the national stage their day in the sun. A look down the time sheet certainly throws up unfamiliar names in competition but very familiar names from Club Committees and those involved in course and clubhouse work. Based in Castleisland for the competition it brings me back to the early 1970’s when the Castleisland club was a favoured venue for the Douglas outing and where many a happy round was played followed by sociable evenings and sing song.
A blast of a whistle brought the competition to a start and it all came down to who could best manage the playing conditions over the next two days, especially bearing the different nature of both courses