AMATEUR SCENE/News round-up: International Alison Coffey was again the best of the Irish entry as they battled through cold, wet and very windy conditions in the Scottish Women's Open Amateur strokeplay championship at Royal Troon over the weekend.
Coffey, a member of the Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup squad, finished on 227 after rounds of 73, 74 and 80, but was still 12 shots off the surprise winner Heather Stirling, who became the first home player in 10 years to win the title.
Stirling must have improved her chances of making the Curtis Cup after a gritty, one-under 74 in the final round gave her a four-shot advantage over the Welsh pair of Becky Brewerton and Sarah Jones.
Coffey and Maura Morrin from the Curragh were well in the hunt after 36 holes. Morrin was five behind leader Jones on 145 after taking full advantage of the calm conditions late on the second day to shoot a six-under-par 69, with Coffey two back on 147.
However, the high winds, rain and cold conditions took their toll in the final round. Coffey played well for her 80, but Morrin could not produce the fireworks of the previous day and, as the conditions worsened, slumped to an 85.
Sinead Keane from the Curragh and Oonagh Purfield were next best of the Irish on 235.
Wales won the international team event. Their total of 446 was eight shots ahead of England, with Scotland third on 464 and the Irish team of Coffey and Deirdre Smith (Co Louth) next on 469.
Meanwhile, Purfield and Smith will be anxious to reverse last year's result in the Eastern District Senior Cup, which begins at Headfort on Monday next. Co Louth were involved in a dramatic finish with the Grange which saw Mary Gorry wrestle the title from Co Louth with a 19th-hole win at St Margaret's.
Grange will not relinquish the title easily, however, as they have three of last year's winning side on duty: Therese O'Reilly, Sheena O'Brien Kenney and Monica Tracey. But they will be without their number one player of last year, Hazel Kavanagh - who has joined the professional ranks - and former international Gorry, who has retired. Their places will be taken by Ashling Roache and Patsy McCarthy.
Irish International Graeme McDowell has achieved what no other University of Alabama golfer has ever done. He is ranked number one in two US collegiate polls. The Rathmore player moved into the top slot in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index Poll last week. In the Golf Stat Cup Standings, McDowell has been steady at the number one spot for almost a month.
McDowell is no stranger to the rankings. Last year, he was ranked as high as sixth in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index Poll. This season he has five tournament wins and seven top-five finishes. McDowell was named C-USA Golfer of the Month in February and March and was GolfWorld magazine's College Player of the Week for March 22nd.
Shandon Park's Alistair McKinley must have booked a place on the Irish Youths Team for the coming season after collecting his second championship in two weeks.
McKinley, the winner of the Connacht title at Athenry, came from seven shots back at the halfway mark to take the Munster crown at Nenagh with a total of 303, after a play-off with Martin McTernan.
Final rounds of 78 and 73 left the Ulster youth in a tie with McTernan, and in the play-off he won with a par at the second tie hole.
EASTERN DISTRICT WOMEN'S SENIOR CUP (at Headfort GC, May 6th and 7th) - First round: Powerscourt v Elm Park; Greenore v Headfort; Ardee v Woodbrook; Grange v Hermitage; Black Bush v The Island; Milltown v Donabate. Second Round: Co Louth v Powerscourt or Elm Park; Milltown or Donabate v Laytown and Bettsytown.
