ILGU - Irish Team jump to 3rd position after day 2 at Espirito Santo
World Amateur Team Championships (WATC)
Espirito Santo Trophy
Mayakoba El Camaleon and Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Clubs, Mexico
14 – 17 September 2016
Irish Team jump to 3rd position after day 2 at Espirito Santo
After an impressive day one from Team Switzerland at the Espirito Santo Trophy, the Republic of Korea stole the show on day two finishing with a seven shot advantage at the halfway stage. The Koreans, who have won the event 4 times since 1996, carded a total of 137 which included a 68 from Min Ji Park and a 69 from Hye Jin Choi for a 36 hole total of 275.
Ireland are now on pace for their best ever performance in the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship after moving up 4 spots into 3rd position. Second round scores of 70 and 71 from Leona Maguire and Olivia Mehaffey, with Annabel Wilson’s 79 not needed, see Ireland just 5 shots behind Switzerland and a further 7 behind the Koreans. World number one and Slieve Russell star Maguire believes Ireland still have time to make a big move and close the gap over the closing two rounds; “The goal today was to try and be under par as a team,” said Leona, who is tied for sixth in the individual standings, just three shots behind leader Choi. “I had a lot of chances out there that just edged the hole so going into the last two days I will be trying to hole a few more putts and anything can happen really.”
With highs of 32 degrees expected today, the weather won’t be the only thing heating up in Cancْn when the leading teams tee off together on the Iberostar Playa Paraiso course. The teams will now play in order of score meaning that the Irish can keep a close eye on the halfway leaders and take their chances when they come.
Round 3 Draw – 15 September – 1st Tee (*GMT – Irish)
09:15 (*15:15) – Annabel Wilson (Ireland), Azelia Meichtry (Switzerland) Hyun Kung Park (Republic of Korea)
09:25 (*15:25) – Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland), Kim Metraux (Switzerland), Min Ji Park (Republic of Korea)
09:35 (*15:35) – Leona Maguire (Ireland), Morgane Metraux (Switzerland), Hye Jin Choi (Republic of Korea)
Round 1 and 2 Results – 14 & 15 September
T6th (72, 70) - Leona Maguire (Ireland)
T14th (74, 71) - Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland)
T111th (80, 79) - Annabel Wilson (Ireland)
The biennial WATC, organised by the International Golf Federation, was first held in 1964 and features 164 players, representing 55 nations, a record number of team entries. It is a stroke play event, in which the best two individual scores from three count on each of the four days. 2010 marked Ireland’s best finish in the tournament where the Maguire twins and Danielle McVeigh secured 11th place. Australia are the current holders of the Espirito Santo Trophy.
Further Tournament information can be found HERE.
Senior Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship
Caldy Golf Club
14th – 16th September 2016
Webb 5 clear at Senior British Open Amateur Championship
Three Irish have made the cut at the Senior British Open Amateur Championship at Caldy Golf Club. Laura Webb (East Berkshire) now holds a five stroke lead over defending champion Julie Brown (Trentham) heading to the final day. Joint round one leader Minna Kaarnalahti (Finland) faltered on day two carding an 83, slipping her to 12th place.
Webb’s second round 72, which included four birdies and three bogeys, was the best of the day. After finishing with a double bogey 7 on day 1, she made sure that the par five 18th did not owe her anything when she rolled in her birdie putt to secure a 1 under round 2 and a 3 under par total.
The next best of the Irish is last week’s Irish Seniors Open Stroke Play Champion Gertie McMullen (The Island) who added a 77 to her opening 79. One shot further back is Sheena McElroy (Grange) after scores of 78, 79.
Anne Ferguson (Royal County Down Ladies), Kate Evans (Royal County Down Ladies), Pat Doran (Donabate), Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast), Pauline Walsh (Headfort) and Mary MacLaren (Wellinborough) all finished outside the cut line. Ferguson and Evans missing out by the narrowest of margins where one shot less would have seen them compete on the final day.
Round 3 Draw – 16 September 2016
09:40 Sheena McElroy (Grange)
10:10 Gertie McMullen (The Island)
11:40 Laura Webb (East Berkshire)
Round 1 & 2 Results – 14 & 15 September 2016
1st (71, 72) - Laura Webb (East Berkshire)
T25th (78, 79) – Sheena McElroy (Grange)
T19th (79, 77) – Gertie McMullen (The Island),
MC Anne Ferguson (Royal County Down Ladies) 82, 79, Kate Evans (Royal County Down Ladies) 79, 82, Pat Doran (Donabate) 82, 81, Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast) 82, 84, Pauline Walsh (Headfort) 84, 83, Mary MacLaren (Wellinborough) 83, 85
A full list of entries can be found on the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) website HERE.