Rafferty returns to North West almost 50 years after winning its Scratch Cup

There was a very special visitor to the North West Golf Club last Wednesday as the club welcomed back Ronan Rafferty, one of the greatest golfers Ireland has ever produced.

Ronan’s remarkable connection with the North West goes right back to 1978, when, at just 14 years of age, he won the club’s prestigious Scratch Cup - a trophy first contested in 1968 and whose roll of honour includes some of the finest golfers in Irish golf.

Adding to the nostalgia of this morning’s visit, Frankie Friel had the pleasure of playing a practice round with Ronan the day before the Scratch Cup - a wonderful reminder of the friendships, memories and connections that make the North West such a special place in Irish golf.

Rafferty went on to reach the very highest levels in world golf. He became a seven-time European Tour winner, won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1989, and represented Europe in the Ryder Cup at The Belfry that same year. Before embarking on his professional career, he was also a hugely successful amateur, winning the Boys Amateur Championship and becoming, at 17, the youngest player at the time to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup.

North West Golf Club said it was a pleasure to welcome Ronan and his playing partners as they enjoyed their visit to the famed Lisfannon links.