SHANNON MCWILLIAM IS LEADING SCOT IN SLGA U16S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Julie McCarthy receives the championship trophy from Strathmore Golf Centre lady captain Sheena Scott. Picture by courtesy of the SLGA

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING AS JULIE

CLICKETY-CLICKS TO WIN  TITLE 

Irish Under-18 girls champion Julie McCarthy conjured up a brilliant second-round six-under-par 66, which equalled the ladies' course record, to
come from behind and win the SLGA Under-16 girls' open stroke-play championship at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth today (Friday).
McCarthy, only 15 years old and a member of Forrest Little Golf Club, a parkland course next door to Dublin Airport, was flying herself in her surge past the overnight leaders.
She birdied the first and second and had her only bogey of the round at the ninth in an outward one-under 34.
Then, after the turn, McCarthy shot five birdies in only 32 shots for the inward half. She birdied the 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 18th for a 66 to follow up her 72, giving her a six-under-par total of 138.
Jaunty Julie, who won the Under-15s scratch prize in this championship last year,  won by three strokes from Austria's Emma Spitz, one of the joint overnight pacemakers. She finished with scores of 71-70 for 141.
GB and I Junior Vagliano Trophy player Sammy Fuller (Roehampton), whose +1.2 handicap made her the backmarker in the field of 90, finished third on 142 with a pair of 71s. Bogey at the 17th cost her a share of second place.
Aboyne's Shannon McWilliam, last year's Scottish Under-14 girls champion, gave the best performance by
a Scot at Strathmore. She had rounds of 78 and 75 for 153 and a share of 15th place. In her second round, Shannon bogeyed the fourth and seventh and had a double bogey 7 at the long 14th before notching her first birdie at the 16th. After a bogey at the 17th, McWilliam finished with a smile after a birdie at the 18th.
Charlotte Munro (Gullane) (80-74) and Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) (79-75) tied with Esme Hamiilton (Notts Ladies) for joint 17th place on 154.
Ireland won the international team event.

SLGA UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
138 Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little) 72 66
141 Emma Spitz (Austria) 71 70
142 Sammy Fuller (Roehampton) 71 71
144 Victoria Mallett (Sutton Coldfield) 73 71
146 Billie-Jo Smith (Woodhall Spa) 76 70, Martha Lewis (St George's Hill) 72 74
148 Niamh McSherry (Lurgan) 79 69, Annabel Wilson (Lurgan( 75 73, Mollie Lawrence (Rochester and Cobham) 72 76
150 Hollie Muse (West Lancs) 76 74, Annabel Bailey (Notts Ladies) 73 77, Natasha Slater (Furness) 73 77
151 Hannah Screen (Berkhamsted) 78 73
152 Louisia Brunt (Royal Birkdale) 71 81
153 Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) 78 75, Harriet Tevershawm (Yeovil) 74(T59 79 (T15)
154 Charlotte Munro (Gullane) 80 74, Hazel McGarvie (Troon Ladies) 79 75, Esme Hamilton (Notts Ladies) 76 78
(T17)
OTHER SCOTS SCORES
155 Jillian Farrell (Cardross) 79 76, Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) 79 76 (T20)
156 Mirren Fraser (Powfoot) 79 77 (T26)
157 Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) 80 77, Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies) 80 77 (T33)
161 Joanne Free (Gullane) 81 80 (45th)
162 Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) 80 82 (T46)
165 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs castle) 85 80 (T50)
166 Andrea Walker (Glenbervie) 86 80, Katie Scott (Strathaven) 85 81 (T52)
167 Katie Malcolm (Dumfries and County) 83 84 (T59)
168 Eilidh Crawford (Harburn) 81 87 (63rd)
171 Molly Richmond (Strathaven) 87 84 (T68)
172 Emma Logie (Buckpool) 86 86, Emma Morrison (Craigmillar Park) 85 87 (T70)
177 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 94 83 (T78)
180 Fiona Rattray (Douglas Park) 91 89 (80th)
181 Maria Cowan (St Medan) 93 88 (T81)
185 Lori MacDonald (Cardross) 94 91 (85th)
195 Eilidh Henderson (Kirkcaldy) 99 96 (88th)
202 Heather Mushet (Elderslie) 103 99 (89th)
213 Megan Thom (Alyth) 104 109 (90th)

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING AFTER SEVEN BIRDIE ROUND 
NEWS RELEASE FROM SLGA
Ireland’s Julie McCarthy matched the course record of six under par 66 in the second round at Strathmore to win the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Under-16 Open Strokeplay Championship.
One behind on 72 overnight, the 15-year-old from Forrest Little had seven birdies for a six under par 138 total and claimed the coveted trophy by three shots from Austria’s Emma Spitz.
Spits, a joint first round leader, had a 70 and third place went to England’s Samantha Fuller (Roehampton), who repeated her opening 71.
It was just two years ago that McCarthy chose golf over football as her sporting passion – and she proved it was a good decision with a win in last year’s Irish Girls’ Championship.
“I played football for Lienster but than took up golf,” explained the youngster. “I’ve still got another four years to do at school but, eventually, I would like to turn professional.
“I shot 68 in the second round and finished fourth here at Strathmore last year so it is definitely one of my favourite courses. Today I didn’t hole any huge putts but made a lot from around the 15 foot range. This definitely rates as one of my best ever performances.”
Introduced to the game by her father, Ronan, McCarthy is coached by Sean O’Grady – he is also in charge of the 19-year-old Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona.
“The twins are great and a real inspiration,” continued Julie. “I get to meet them quite a lot and we were all on the same National Squad training camp earlier this year.”
Aboyne’s Shannon McWilliam was the leading Scot. She shot rounds of 78 and 75 to finish in a tie for  15th place. Gullane’s Charlotte Munro (80, 74) and Troon’s Hazel MacGarvie (79,75) were another shot back.
The winning team was Ireland
TEAM TOTALS
284 Ireland 1
282 England 2
292 England 1
303 Ireland 2
307 Scotland 1
309 Scotland 2
317 Wales 1
335 Wales 2

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