Sixteen year old golf swings into 2011 a sporting success - Leona Maguire announced Sportswoman of the Month

Sixteen year old golf champion, Leona Maguire has scooped The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Month' award following her 15 stroke win in the Portuguese Ladies Amateur Championship last month setting a new course record. The 16-year-old from Slieve Russell in Cavan, led by eight shots entering the final round, boasting 18 birdies and only four bogeys over 72 holes, proving a firm frontrunner for the 2011 season. Leona will now battle it out with other monthly winners, including cross country runner, Fionnuala Britton, to be named the Sportswoman of the Year in December 2011.

The golfing year started in early January for Leona and her sister at the Harder Hall Invitational Championship, which resulted in the twins snatching top 20 placings and Leona finishing sixth. This tournament drove the twins on for the Portuguese Amateur Open as Leona cut her way in as the top finisher and insuring an exceptional start to the season. Leona's initial goal was to break 10 under par, however with the rain delay, resulted in a 14 under par result. One great upshot, however, was that the twins combined result meant they were victorious in the Nations Cup section of the tournament for Ireland.

This is the third time that Leona has won the Sportswoman of the month award for her sterling performances on the fairway. Commenting on her win, Leona said; "I am delighted to start my year off with an award and to be nominated for Sportswoman of the Year. I am pleased with my performance so far and in the tournament I started with a 66 on the first day and finished the last round with a birdie on the 18th," said Leona, who hopes to turn professional in two years. "It was my first tournament of the year and it's always good to start that way."

The Cavan teenager has performed consistently since 2009, putting her way onto the front minds of the golfing radar and making history as she, and her twin sister, became the youngest players to represent Great Britain and Ireland at the Curtis Cup taking on the United States at the biennial matches in Massachusetts in June of last year.

Next on Leona's horizon is the Spanish Amateur Championship, the qualifying stage for the ladies professional British Open, all of the ILGU Majors and no doubt herself and her sister will once again be invited to play in the AIB Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle in August. Shane O'Grady, the Black Bush GC professional, who has overseen the technical development of the girls' golfing game since they were 10 years of age said, "Over the winter they've grown a lot and got a bit stronger, so they've added distance. The girls now hit it the same length as -- if not a bit longer than -- the top women amateurs".

Established in 2004, the aim of the Sports Woman of the Year awards is to recognise the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a twelve month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. From the twelve monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced.

The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTة, and the Evening Herald.

Further details on the Sportswoman of the Year Awards can be found on www.irishtimes.com/events/sportswoman/.