Irish Hospitals Tournament Explained

Irish Hospitals Tournament
Location:Bray, County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland
Establishment:1958
Course:Woodbrook Golf Club
Final Year:1962
Final Champion:Christy O'Connor Snr

The Irish Hospitals Tournament was a professional golf tournament played from 1958 to 1962. Total prize money was £5000 from 1958 to 1960 and £5,555 in 1961 and 1962. It was sponsored by the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake. In 1963 it was succeeded by the Carroll Sweet Afton Tournament which later became the Carroll's International.

Kel Nagle's 1961 performance of 260 was reportedly the lowest score ever recorded at a 72 hole tournament outside of the United States. As of 1973, it had yet to be broken.[1]

Winners

Year Winner Country Score Margin
of victory
Runner(s)-up Winner's
share (£)
Ref
1958 277 Tie Shared 1,000
and 500
[2]
1959 274 4 strokes 1,000 [3]
1960 272 Playoff
(18 holes)
1,000 [4] [5]
1961 260 4 strokes 1,000 [6]
1962 271 1 stroke 1,000 [7]

In 1960 O'Connor scored 63 in the play-off to Bousfield's 71.

Notes and References

  1. News: 27 February 1973 . Jacklin one off record . 4 . . 7 May 2020 . Google News Archive.
  2. News: Hunt and Jowle share £1500 prize money – Irish hospitals tournament . . 4 . 19 May 1958.
  3. News: Irish hospitals event won by Faulkner – Success by 4 strokes . . 8 . 13 July 1959.
  4. News: O'Connor-Bousfield tie at Woodbrook – To play off for top prizes . . 4 . 18 July 1960.
  5. News: O'Connor's record at 63 in play-off . . 9 . 19 July 1960.
  6. News: Nagle wins hospitals tournament – Aggregate of 260 record for Britain and Ireland . . 4 . 24 July 1961.
  7. News: O'Connors Irish hospitals win – Exciting duel with Charles . . 4 . 23 July 1962.