Top female golfers to play in Mallow

MALLOW Golf Club is steeped in history, not only for its reputation of being one of the best parkland golf courses in Munster, but also for the contribution to the game of golf that so many of the club members have made during its 100 years. This week, the par 72 course will host the top 52 Irish Girls’ when the next Irish Girls’ Close Champion will be crowned.

A new name is guaranteed to be engraved into the Blake Cup this year as Annabel Wilson and Julie McCarthy, who have won the title for the last four years between them, are unable to compete.

Five of the six girls who represented Ireland at the Girls’ European Team Championships in Finland last week will be in action at Mallow. Munster Girls’ Champion Sara Byrne, Leinster Girls’ Champion Lauren Walsh alongside Ulster Girls’ Champion Maeve Cummins are all on form to bid for the top spot while Ellen O’Gorman (Milltown) and Kate Lanigan (Hermitage), who both held a 100% winning record at last week’s interprovincial matches, will also be confident of a good week.

2016 Pat Fletcher Trophy winner Beth Coulter and her Ulster teammate Emma Forbes as well as 12-year-old Emma Fleming will be looking to impress after consistent seasons to date.

Competitors will play 36 holes qualifying on Wednesday, 19th July before the top 32 girls progress to the matchplay stages, with defeated first round players competing for the Plate, in what is sure to be a great tournament.