Portmarnock Win the 2016 Merrins-Crow Plate
Ayutthaya, Thailand (December 4, 2016) - The Merrins-Crow Plate tournament kicked off the 2016 World Club Championship on Sunday, December 4 at Ayodhya Links in Bangkok, Thailand. The competing 26 GOLF Magazine Top 100 teams paired with golf dignitaries from around the world and local Thai dignitaries and tournament sponsors. Portmarnock Golf Club of Ireland represented by Geoff Lenehan and Jack Pierse teamed with Patron Bill Hogan and Ayodhya Links Board Member Narong Promlakano to win with a -9 score of 63. The Merrins-Crow Plates were presented at the Celebratory Dinner in the Clubhouse.
The Merrins-Crow Plate tournament is contested on the Sunday prior to each World Club Championship and was created as a tribute to the countless contributions of Tom Crow, the first Championship Referee who served from 2002-2012 and Eddie Merrins, who was the Championship Chairman from 2002-2015 and is still active as Chairman Emeritus. The concept of the event is to provide the host club to invite members and special guests to play with World Club Championship Players and Patrons.
Both of these legends of the industry hold a special place in the international amateur world of golf and their dedication and efforts had an enormous effect of catapulting the World Club Championship to its current respected status.
Tom Crow is the Founder of the Cobra Golf Company and past Australian Amateur Champion. He holds the 53 year course record at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Eddie Merrins is known lovingly as the 'Lil Pro' who coined the phrase "swing the handle". He won amateur titles, played the PGA Tour but devoted most of his career to teaching at Bel-Air Country Club where he is now Club Professional Emeritus.
Merrins – Crow Plate Past Champions
The Merrins–Crow Plate pairs competitors from the World Club Championship with other amateur guests. The winning team accepts the Plate on behalf of their Club and the Plate resides at their home club on permanent display.
Inaugural Tournament
2013 Played at Haesley Nine Bridges, Seoul, South Korea
Championship Club: Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Championship Team: Jason Perry, Tom Stephens
Second Annual Tournament
2015 Played at Haesley Nine Bridges, Seoul, South Korea
Championship Club: Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Championship Team: Paul Little, Matias Sanchez
