ILGU - Irish Seniors crowned European Champions
Caption:Senior European Champions - L-R: Gertie McMullen (The Island), Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Captain Pauline Walsh (Headfort), Sheena McElroy (Grange), Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown), Laura Webb (East Berkshire), Mary Sheehy (Tralee) & ILGU President & Manager Valerie Hassett (Ennis)
Ireland have been crowned European Champions at the Senior European Team Championships at Sierra Golf Club Poland, after overcoming Belgium 3-2 in a nail biting finish.
Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) set the standard for the day with an astonishing 9&7 win over Marianne Trussart. The unbeaten top foursomes pairing of Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) and Sheena McElroy (Grange) followed with a 3&2 victory, placing Ireland in the winning seat, requiring only one more point.
Laura Webb (East Berkshire) battled hard but opponent Laurette Vanderlinden had the upper hand and guaranteed a point for the Belgian side on the 16th. Irish Senior Close Champion Gertie McMullen (The Island) brought her match to the home green but Sylvie Van Molle had the edge and secured a 1up win. The final match came down to rookie Mary Sheehy (Tralee) and the match required extra tie holes. Sheehy and opponent Annick Riff halved the 19th and 20th before Sheehy showed her true form on the 21st and holed a 50 foot putt for the win.
Ireland were last crowned European Champions in Slovenia in 2013.
European Senior Ladies’ Team Championships – Flight A
Saturday 3 September - Final
Ireland 3 Belgium 2
Sheena McElroy & Carol Wickham beat Anne-Marie Toussaint & Anne Joris 3&2
Suzanne Corcoran beat Marianne Trussart 9&7
Mary Sheehy beat Annick Riff on the 21st
Laura Webb lost to Laurette Vanderlinden 3&2
Gertie McMullen lost to Sylvie Van Molle on the 18th
European Senior Ladies’ Team Championships – Flight A
Friday 2 September - Semi-Final
Ireland 3½ Sweden 1½
Carol Wickham & Sheena McElroy beat Helene Maxe & Charlotte Rhedin 2&1
Suzanne Corcoran beat Christin Moller 1up
Mary Sheehy lost to Maria Liberg 2&1
Laura Webb beat Catharina Mansson 4&3
Gertie McMullen halved with Louise Idestahl
European Senior Ladies’ Team Championships – Flight A
Ireland 3½ Switzerland 1½
Carol Wickham & Sheena McElroy halved with Anne Argi & Nathalie Roduit
Suzanne Corcoran lost to Jackie Dangel-Orley 4&3
Mary Sheehy beat Marie-Christine De Werra 3&2
Laura Webb beat Mimmi Guglielmone 4&3
Gertie McMullen beat Katherine Hills Peppler 7&5
Irish Qualifying Scores
154 - 80, 74 Laura Webb
155 – 76, 79 Mary Sheehy
155 – 74, 81 Sheena McElroy
158 – 77, 81 Suzanne Corcoran
159 - 79, 80 Gertie McMullen
163 - *81, 82 Carol Wickham
For further information on the Senior European Team Championships please visit the official website HERE.