Croham Hurst star Canice Screene said winning the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship is a huge boost to her career after a thrilling win in Roscommon.
The English golfer, whose parents are from Ireland, followed up her great week by breaking the hearts of the local faithful in the semi-final, when she defeated Olivia Costello (Roscommon), before a brilliant 2&1 win over Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion).
The 23-year-old had an impressive couple of rounds in stroke play and she backed up her opening 70 with a 69 for a -7 total and third place.
Screene then defeated Molly O’Hara (Clandeboye) 3&2 in the first round of the match play before an impressive 4&3 victory over reigning Bridgestone Order of Merit champion, Emma Fleming on Thursday.
She was 3 down early in her match against Costello but battled back and eventually won 16, 17 and 18 to seal her place in the decider.
Screene went into the ascendency early against O’Driscoll, however despite going 2up her opponent captured the fifth and 11th holes before Screene secured victory on 17.
“It’s been a long time coming, this one is very very special. This is my four or fifth year playing and I played the girls. This is really it for me,” said Screene.
“I had been playing well all week and I knew I was going to have to play well in this last match so to do it was really special.
“I definitely came in here to win, make the match play and then see how it goes. This has proven to me that I can win and I have been waiting very long to get over the finish line. I always said if I can win once I can win again.
“Hopefully I can just keep the momentum going, so we will see.”
The AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Plate was captured by Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas) on the 20th hole of her epic match with Ellen O’Gorman (Laytown & Bettystown).
Coughlan launched a great comeback down the back nine with her par on 18 sending the match to extra holes and a brilliant birdie on the second was enough in the end.
It was an important win for the 25-year-old and it came on the back of her interprovincial success with Munster.
“Overall you’d be disappointed not to make the top 12 but you just dust yourself off and go again,” said Coughlan.
“I was 3 down with five to play and I just told myself I have to dig deep.”
Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush) was the winner of the AIG Irish Girls’ Amateur Close Plate following a 1up victory over Ellen O’Shaughessy (County Louth).
The Irish teammates battled it out in the week before they travel to Conwy in Wales for the Home Internationals.
“It was a tough match, we both played well. I got a good lead, I was 3up after nine. Then Ellen got a few birdies, a few long putts. On 17 I made bogey and she made par. Went up 18, the nerves were very high,” said Lee-McNamara (15).
“I was disappointed not to get into the main championship but to win this was very nice. I have Homes next week so it has given me good confidence heading into that.”
