Victory for McMullen in Arklow, Irish Seniors Team Announced

Irish Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship

Arklow Golf Club

09 September 2016

FULL RESULTS

The final day of the 2016 Irish Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship brought wind and rain to the sunny South East as the players battled the Arklow Links. As the scorecards began to come in, a club house leader in Catherine Reilly (The Heath) was established after she carded a 2 over par 74 in the challenging conditions. However, out on the course 36 hole leader Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) and Gertie McMullen (The Island) were tied for the lead with 9 holes to play. The leading pair were one shot ahead of Sheena McElroy (Grange) while Pat Doran (Donabate) was a further shot behind.
 
As the gales strengthened the finishing 9 became tougher and it was a race to the finish line for the leaders. Both Corcoran and Sonja Bland (South Africa) faltered on the tough closing holes to finish on 239 and 244 respectively. Sheena McElroy finished with a closing 83 to tie for 3rd place with Corcoran on 239. Canadian Alison Murdoch, who has travelled to this tournament for the last number of years and will go from Arklow to Liverpool to compete at the British Women’s Senior Open Stroke Play Championship next week, finished with a respectable 79 which would be good enough for 2nd place.

However, the player who battled the hardest over the back 9 and ultimately finished on top of the leader board was Gertie McMullen of The Island Golf Club. The 2013 Irish Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Champion and 2015 & 16 Irish Senior Women’s Close Champion can now add this tournament to her list of achievements. Gertie, who had her loving husband Frazer on the bag was delighted with her win. “I am ecstatic, I can’t believe it. To have two Irish Opens and two Irish Close Championships now is just incredible!”

Gertie will now travel to the British Senior’s next week followed by the Senior Women’s Home Internationals which will be played in Scotland from September 27 – 29. T
he Irish Seniors Home International team is as follows;

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna)
Sheena McElroy (Grange)
Gertie McMullen (The Island)
Maria O’Reilly (Headfort)
Mary Sheehy (Tralee)
Laura Webb (East Berkshire)
Carol Wickham (Laytown and Bettystown)
Captain: Pauline Walsh (Headfort)
Manager: Valerie Hassett (Ennis)

Reserves
Pat Doran (Donabate)
Margaret McAuliffe (Ballybunion)

Prizes Winners:
Team Event Winners: Ireland A

Best Nett Day 1: Geraldine Williams (Ballybunion)
Best Nett Day 2: Catherine Reilly (The Heath)
Best Nett Day 3: Marie Sudway (Old Conna)
Overall Nett Runner Up: Vivienne Houston (City of Derry)
Overall Nett Winner: Marie O’Reilly (Headfort)
O60’s Nett: Sheena McElroy (Grange)

060’s Gross Winner: Alison Murdoch (Canada)
Best Gross Day 1: Pat Doran (Donabate)
Best Gross Day 2: Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush)
Best Gross Day 3: Catherine Reilly (The Heath)
Overall Gross 4th: Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna)
Overall Gross 3rd: Sheena McElroy (Grange)
Overall Gross 2nd: Alison Murdoch (Canada)
Overall Winner: Gertie McMullen (The Island)