Tramore’s Anna Dawson survived a back nine fightback from Belvoir Park’s Holly Hamilton to clinch the AIG Irish Women’s Close Championship at Ardee Golf Club.
Dawson was four up through ten holes and seemed to be coasting to her first championship victory but Hamilton had other ideas and even levelled affairs after 17 holes, but Dawson regathered her composure and a two-putt par was enough to seal the deal on the last.
The Irish Women’s Close is one of Ireland’s most coveted titles and Dawson’s name will be etched alongside Leona and Lisa Maguire and Olivia Mehaffey as well as two-time winner Sara Byrne who has recently embarked on her Ladies European Tour career.
“Both relief and joy! It’s been a long week I struggled in the stroke play I was last to qualify but I knew I had a good game and just tried to keep it simple and luckily I got it over the line,” said Dawson who had found the 18th green safely after Hamilton had gone long and was unable to get up and down.
Dawson got off to an edgy start, clipping the left tree off the first tee before Hamilton chipped in for birdie to win the hole. But the Irish international got up and running, winning four holes on the bounce to move 3UP through six holes and a par on the tenth saw her pull four clear.
Hamilton, looked to be struggling but after Dawson caught an unfortunate break with an awkward stance short of the 11th green the gap was reduced to three holes and she made a crucial half on the 13th to keep her hopes alive.
Hamilton came roaring back with birdies on 14, 15 and 16 before Dawson also birdied 16 to halve the hole and stay one up. But after Dawson found tree trouble on 17, Hamilton drew level before Dawson knuckled down and got over the line.
“I couldn’t do much wrong, I was rolling the putter lovely, I couldn’t complain. I was really happy with how it was going overall,” said Dawson of her front nine as she joins her brother Robin in winning an Irish championship.
“Holly birdied 14, 15 and we both birdied 16 but I was just focused to get fairway, green and two putt and just try keep it as simple as possible.”
Dawson has enjoyed an excellent season to date on both sides of the Atlantic but she has gone up a level since returning home from college in Arkansas, earning a recall to the Irish Senior set up in the process.
“All the hard work has paid off, those three or four hour practices a day especially in that heat it was long at times, the hard work has definitely paid off and delighted to bring the good golf back home.”
Dawson appeared for Ireland in the European Team Championships last month and she is in red hot form heading into the Home Internationals next week.
“We leave for Home Internationals on Monday so looking forward to that especially after winning some nice matches here this week I have a lot of confidence going into matchplay next week as well.”
Kanturk golfer Mairead Martin won the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Over-18 Plate, when she defeated Laura Webb (Royal Portrush) 5&3 in the final.
It was an awesome display from the Corkonian who went 1up on the third hole and although Webb got straight back on terms, she was 3 down by the turn. Martin won 13, 14 and 15 to be crowned champion.
In the ISPS Handa G4D @ Ardee, local golfer Brendan Lawlor took home the Division 1 Gross title following a second round 73. He backed up his opening 70 to finish clear of Cian Arthurs (Roganstown) in second and Paul O’Kelly (Portmarnock) in third.
“It’s amazing (to win in Ardee),” said Lawlor.
“Even through my professional career, I do a lot of my practice here, I’m affiliated with Carton House also, so I practice up in Carton one or two days a week, and then the rest is in Ardee.
“The pros Brian Curley and assistant Fintan Lawlor, would be my cousin, they are awful good to me and let me play whenever I want and include me in anything they can which is special.
“I played some really solid golf this week, I struggled with a shoulder injury the last week or so. I know the place extremely well so I wasn’t going full pelt.
“I was kind of cozying it around, knew where to miss it, knew where to not miss it. I was +1 for two days, wasn’t bad scoring.”
In the Division 2 (Gross) Lambeg golfer Mark Clougherty was victorious after he finished on -5, ahead of Malcolm Thompson (Bangor) and Paul Kelly (Co Armagh).
Co Tipperary golfer, Timmy Moloney, edged the Division 3 Stableford with a total of 75 points. He finished ahead of Jarlath King (Ballinrobe), Cathy Fitzgerald (Killeen Castle) and Tom Doherty (Killarney).
