Amateur news: Claire Coughlan, who took an excellent three points from her three matches in the Curtis Cup at Formby last week, is one of nine Irish players who have made the cut for the British Women's Amateur Championship at Gullane number one course near Muirfield, starting today.
Coughlan's excellent form, which included two wins over the new star of women's golf Michelle Wie, will be joined by new Irish Champion Deirdre Smith (Co Louth), Karen and Tara Delaney (Carlow), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), Tricia Mangan (Ennis), Maura Morrin (Curragh) and fellow club member Gillian O'Leary.
All nine got a taste of the task ahead at Gullane after taking part in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews over the weekend, where Maura Morrin finished best of the Irish in joint fifth place behind the winner Louise Stahle of Sweden.
Stahle, a 19-year-old from Barseback - last year's Solheim Cup venue - forged clear of the field over the last nine holes to win by four shots after rounds of 71 and 70.
Stahle had tied for the overnight lead after a four-under-par 71 over the New Course and she had easily the best score over the Old Course - a six-under-par 70 for a 10-under-par total of 141. She won by four shots from United States Curtis Cup star Annie Thurman (71, 74) and Australian Nikki Garret (74, 71).
Stahle is the fourth Swede to capture the title in the tournament's 21-year history and she follows in the footsteps of compatriots Annika Sorenstam (1990), Maria Hjorth (1995) and last year's winner, Karin Borjeskog.
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) was a shot behind Morrin on 148 after rounds of 73 and 75, Tricia Mangan (152) and Irish champion Deirdre Smith (153).
Sweden (288) won the international team event from Australia (292) with Ireland third on 295.
Tara Delaney, runner-up to Smith in the Irish Ladies Close Championship at The Island last month, will lead a six-strong Irish team for the European Lady Juniors Team Championship which will be held in Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, England, from July 6th to 10th.
The Irish team is: Tara Delaney (Carlow), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Gillian O'Leary (Cork), Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway), Vicki Power (Brampton Park), Catherine Tucker (Limerick). The reserves are Karen Delaney (Carlow), Suzie Hayes (Hermitage) and Shauna McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies).
Meanwhile, the Irish Youth players will get their last chance to impress the selectors when they tee-up in the Irish Youths' Close Championship at Clandeboye Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
With the European Youths' Championship scheduled for The Island in two weeks' time, the selectors still have an open mind on the final line-up.
Tomorrow a six-man team take on Wales in the annual fixture at Clandeboye.
The Irish team is: Clancy Bowe (Tramore), Stephen Crowe (Dunmurry), Harry Diamond (Holywood), Paul O'Hanlon (Curragh), Cathal O'Malley (Westport) and Niall Turner (Muskerry). The reserves are: Ciarán McAleavey (Banbridge), Robert McCarthy (The Island) and Gareth Shaw (Malone). The non-playing team captain is Michael Burns from Tramore.
Ireland are unbeaten in this event since 1999 and have won seven of the 12 encounters with Wales, halving one and losing just four.
