The Kerry Boys Championship was founded in 1972 to promote Ballybunion Golf Club to junior golfers. Outside of the inter-provincial boys events The Kerry Boys was the first Boys Championship outside the Inter-Provincials events drawing big entries from all over Ireland, with the competitors famously pitching tents and staying on the course for the week. Originally held in its entirety on the Old C
ourse, the construction of the R.T.J. Cashen Course in the 80's resulted in the Kerry Boys gradually being moved in its entirety to the Cashen Course in the 2000's. The Cashen Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and provides a fittingly tough test of golf and has moved up considerably in the rankings over the last number of years owing to changes made by British Open golf designers, and indeed if the Cashen Course was not situated beside Ballybunion's Old Course it would be just as World renowned. The winner of the Kerry Boys gets his name inscribed on the Kerry Boys Michael Hanrahan Cup named in honour of former Ballybunion Secretary and Chairman of Kerry Group. The winners name is also inscribed for eternity on the role of honor board in Ballybunions Clubhouse situated beside the President's and Captains role of honor board. A read through the Kerry Boys role of honor and you can see many recognizable names who have gone onto to play Provincial, National and Walker Cup representative golf. Winners have also gone on to playing on the European Tour and quite a few winners are currently PGA Professionals. The Kerry Boys Championship takes place every year on the second week of August and as of 2015 it is a World Amateur Ranking event, with the qualifying now taking place over 2 rounds (Tuesday & Wednesday) instead of the previous 1 round. Previously a Plate Competition was played for those who didn't qualify for the matchplay and this has been introduced again for 2015 with the next 16 entered into a plate matchplay over 2 days. The Kerry Boys is currently sponsored by Kerry Group in a major deal and still draws a massive entry with juniors coming as far as Scotland, England, France and the USA.
