Lisa Maguire back to winning ways up north
Lisa Maguire made a welcome return to winning ways with a 2 and 1 win over Carlow’s Aedin Murphy in the final of the Ulster Women’s Championship at Royal Belfast last week.
Two up after three holes, the twin sister of world number two Leona, ended a long winless run that dates to the European Ladies Individual Amateur Championship in the Netherlands in 2011.
Maguire went three up at the 12th and while Murphy managed to win the 14th and halve the 15th and 16th holes, the match ended on the penultimate green.
The result is a boost to Maguire but also to her coach, US-based Englishman Nick Bradley, who has been looking after her in the US since last September.
Ciara Brennan from Belvoir Park won the Junior Championship.
Roy O’Neill lights up Black Bush
Galway GC assistant, Roy O’Neill, fired a three under par 70 to win the Black Bush Ladies Assistants Pro-Am.
The 19-year-old from Carlow, beat Andy Hogan (Edmondstown) by two shots with four players, Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge), Dara Lernihan (Elm Park), Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret’s) and Joe Dillon (Headfort) finishing on level par 73.
“It’s a good start to the season and it was great experience,” said Roy who was competing in his first Pro-Am and only his second competitive PGA event at the Co Meath venue. Second placed Hogan recorded a hole-in-one at the par three second.
O’Flaherty takes Castleroy Senior Scratch title
Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty added a two-under 70 to his opening 71 to win the Bank of Ireland Castletroy Senior Scratch Cup by three strokes last week with a total of 141. Galway’s Cathal Nolan set the pace with a 68 to lead by one from Cork’s Paul Tobin after the first round. But he shot 84 in the afternoon and O’Flaherty proved too consistent, coming from behind to win with ease thanks to his superb second round.
Ian Spillane from Mallow took third place on 145 from Galway’s Eddie McCormack on 146 and Castletroy’s Andrew McCormack on 147. The best nett went to local Jonathan McDonnell on 140 from Mallow’s Greg Barrett 143. Willie Russell from Rosapenna with 40 points won the Donegal Senior Golf Alliance outing to Ballybofey & Stranorlar GC on a countback from local Michael Hynes.
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Jo Ebbs rules over New and Old
Dun Laoghaire’s Jo Ebbs won the ILGU silver medal as Castle Dargan’s Anne Mullan took the bronze in the National Medal finals at Headfort Golf Club. Played over the New and Old courses the sun shone all morning as club medal winners from all over Ireland returned seeking a national title.
Water hazards and fast greens posed a tricky challenge for those competing but it didn’t faze all, as many players carded low scores. Ebbs shot a 72 nett and Mullan a 73 nett to claim victory.
Gleeson top of the Irish at Brabazon Trophy
Alex Gleeson finished best of the Irish in 10th place as England’s Jamie Bower won the Brabazon Trophy when long-time leader Cameron Davis three putted the 18th at the London Golf Club.
Bower shot a final round of two-under par 70 to finish on 12-under 276 (67, 69, 70, 70), pipping Davis after dramatic suspension of play when the leaders, locked at 12-under par, were both on the 18th green and waiting to putt. A violent thunderstorm forced the last group off the course and when they returned Bower two-putted for par and victory, while Australia’s Cameron Davis missed a short putt which would have taken him into a play-off.
Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon), meanwhile, parred the hole to claim third place on 10-under and to win the Henriques Salver for the best score by a player aged under 20.
Geeson carded rounds of 71, 71, 74 and 69 for 285, while Hermitage’s Rowan Lester closed with a 73 to share 12th on 286 with St Andrews Links Trophy winner, Conor O’Rourke (72) tied 16th on 287 with Paul McBride (74).
