Amateur news Curtis Cup teamClaire Coughlan from Cork Golf Club is one of six new caps on the Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team to face the United States at Formby Golf Club, England, on June 12th and 13th.
Coughlan is the only Irish player selected, with Tricia Mangan from Ennis second reserve.
Emma Duggleby, a member of both the 2000 and 2002 Curtis Cup teams, and Fame More from the 2002 side, have again been selected for the biennial match and they will be joined on the team of eight by Coughlan, Anna Highgate, Anne Laing, Danielle Masters, Shelley McKevitt, and Nicola Timmins.
Coughlan (24), an Irish international for many years, has underlined her ability in matchplay by winning the Irish Ladies' Close Championship in 1999 and reaching the semi-final stage last year at Donegal. In 2003 she also won the Irish Strokeplay Championship.
Duggleby, Laing, Masters and More were all members of the team that regained the Vagliano Trophy in last year's match against the Continent of Europe at County Louth.
In giving details of the eight players selected for the side, Ireland's Ada O'Sullivan, captain of the team, said: "We undoubtedly have a very solid team with a nucleus of players experienced at playing at the highest level.
"Furthermore, in the run-up to this announcement we have pushed Elite Squad players to the limit with matches against two mens' county sides plus that great win against the LET professionals in the Weetabix Challenge on Saturday.
"The results from these matches have left me in no doubt that our eight players can, on the day, produce a performance worthy of bringing the Curtis Cup back to home soil."
The Curtis Cup was first played in 1932 at Wentworth. The Great Britain & Ireland team hope to follow on from their Vagliano Trophy victory against the Continent of Europe and regain the Curtis Cup, which they last won at Killarney in 1996.
Meanwhile, on the home front, the Suzuki-sponsored Women's Senior Cup kicks into action next month as clubs throughout the country battle for the blue riband of Irish club golf.
The Easter District, as is traditional now, kicks off the event at Seapoint Golf Club on May 8th and 9th when holders Co Louth will be seeking a third Eastern prize in four years.
Royal Portrush, the All-Ireland champions, will begin the defence of their title in the Northern District Championship at Spa Golf Club on May 31st and June 1st.
The Midland District hold their event at Tramore Golf Club on June 11th and 12th, the Southern District at Cork Golf Club on June 3rd and 4th, and the Western District at Roscommon Golf Club on July 9th and 10th.
The All-Ireland finals are scheduled for Athlone Golf Club on September 3rd and 4th.
Ita Butler, President of the Irish Ladies' Golf Union, said the Senior Cup is one of the ILGU's most prestigious and popular events.
"The Irish Ladies' Golf union is delighted to confirm that Suzuki will be the official sponsor for the 2004 Irish Ladies' Senior Cup. Their continuing support for this event will help to increase the public awareness and appreciation of women in the sport."
Sineád Heraty from Longford, well known in banking and golfing circles, has been appointed to the new position of chief executive of the Irish Ladies' Golf Union.
Heraty, a member of the Castle Golf Club, in Dublin, has signed a three-year contract with the union and will begin her duties towards the end of June.
"Membership of the Irish Ladies' Golf Union has almost doubled in the last 10 years and we are confident that Sineád's management and motivational skills will be of particular benefit to us at this exciting time in our organisation's development," said Butler.
"I thought I would be a life-long banker," said Heraty at yesterday's announcement. "When this opportunity came up I saw it as one not to be missed, an opportunity to work at my hobby. Not many people get that.
"Golf is changing and the union is changing. I like what I see in the Strategic Plan and I like the by-line 'Golf for All' and the drive to bring younger people into the game."
Heraty was first introduced to golf by her father and mother in Longford and joined Castle GC in 1983 with a 36 handicap. Five years later she was down to single figures and currently plays off six.
She has also played for Connacht in the Interprovincial Championship.
Claire Coughlan (24) ... Cork
Emma Duggleby (32) ... Malton & Norton
Anna Highgate (21) ... Southerndown
Anne Laing (29) ... Vale of Leven
Danielle Masters (21) ... Bearsted - Tudor Park
Shelley McKevitt (24) ... Reading
Fame More (22) ... Chesterfield
Nicola Timmins (23) ... Sene Valley
Reserves: 1 Lynn Kenny (24) Stirling; 2 Tricia Mangan (30) Ennis; 3 Kate Phillips (21) Creigiau; 4 Clare Queen (20) Drumpellier.
