LEONA v STEPHANIE IN AN ALL-CURTIS CUP IRISH FINAL
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) will play Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) in the final of the Irish Women’s Close Amateur Championship at 2pm today in Baltray.
Lucy Simpson (Massereene) felt the brunt of Stephanie’s devastating iron play in the opening semi-final at 9am. Stephanie birdied the fourth, seventh and ninth holes to turn three under the card holding a four hole advantage. The luckless Simpson rallied as best she could but couldn’t match Meadow’s impressive ball striking and another birdie on the eleventh saw the match end prematurely on the thirteenth green.
Local girl Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) punched well above her weight in her morning semi-final with Leona. After finding the left side rough off the tee at the first, Carla recovered well and a pitch and putt par saw her edge ahead early in the match. Leona levelled the affair at the next before Carla birdied three and four to go one up again. As Leona settled into the tie, birdies at the fifth and sixth saw her turn one up, an advantage she doubled before Carla birdied the fourteenth. However, it was not to be for the Co. Louth native as three regulation pars at the next three holes saw Leona through to the afternoon final.
Having won the Irish Close in 2008, Leona will arguably hold an advantage over her rival in this afternoon’s final. However Stephanie’s battling qualities, evident for all to see not only this week but also at last week’s Curtis Cup, may see her capture an Irish title at the first attempt.
The final starts at 2pm, today
SEMI FINALS
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) bt Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 6/5
Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) bt Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 3/1
Lucy Simpson (Massereene) felt the brunt of Stephanie’s devastating iron play in the opening semi-final at 9am. Stephanie birdied the fourth, seventh and ninth holes to turn three under the card holding a four hole advantage. The luckless Simpson rallied as best she could but couldn’t match Meadow’s impressive ball striking and another birdie on the eleventh saw the match end prematurely on the thirteenth green.
Local girl Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) punched well above her weight in her morning semi-final with Leona. After finding the left side rough off the tee at the first, Carla recovered well and a pitch and putt par saw her edge ahead early in the match. Leona levelled the affair at the next before Carla birdied three and four to go one up again. As Leona settled into the tie, birdies at the fifth and sixth saw her turn one up, an advantage she doubled before Carla birdied the fourteenth. However, it was not to be for the Co. Louth native as three regulation pars at the next three holes saw Leona through to the afternoon final.
Having won the Irish Close in 2008, Leona will arguably hold an advantage over her rival in this afternoon’s final. However Stephanie’s battling qualities, evident for all to see not only this week but also at last week’s Curtis Cup, may see her capture an Irish title at the first attempt.
The final starts at 2pm, today
SEMI FINALS
Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) bt Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 6/5
Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) bt Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 3/1
Labels: Amateur Ladies
posted by Colin |
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