Anna Dawson will look to close out her impressive Irish Championship season in style this week as the Waterford native tees it up for the first time at the Irish Intervarsity Championship at Kirkistown Castle tomorrow.
96 of Ireland’s best and brightest college talents make their way to the County Down links for the mixed event. Coming in off the back of a standout season, one that has seen the Tramore golfer called up to Irish international squads, compete at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, and claim victory at the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship in Ardee, Dawson is sure to be among the top contenders when play gets underway on Tuesday morning.
“I was delighted with this summer,” said Dawson.
“It was great getting to play for Ireland at the Home Internationals, the European Team Championships and getting the opportunity to play in the Women’s Irish Open in Carton House and then finishing off the summer winning the Close is definitely the highlight. I had a great summer. Hopefully I’ll push on from it.”
Despite this being Dawson’s debut at the Irish Intervarsity Championship, the 22-year-old brings plenty of experience, having spent the last four years studying and playing collegiate golf in America, where she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in International Business earlier this year.
Returning home to begin her master’s studies at Maynooth University as part of the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship has been an adjustment for Dawson, but it is one she is settling into nicely. Her rich vein of summer form has continued into the autumn with 7th and 2nd place finishes at her first two R&A Student Tour Series events in Sweden and at Malone Golf Club, respectively.
“It’s a lot different playing over here compared to the States.” said Dawson.
“This week is the first week we’re playing mixed. It’s nice to play with the guys too. It’s a great competition as well and even here in Maynooth, the opportunity to practice and play with the team and the competition is great playing with the guys.”
Dawson is set to get her first round underway at 1.20pm alongside Eli Van Houten (Queen’s University Belfast) and Sebastian Broderick (DCU) and despite entering the week as one of the form players, she is approaching this event with her usual calm and consistent mindset.
“I kind of just go in with the same routine as always play the practice round and just try to keep it simple the whole time,” said Dawson.
“Fairway, green, two putt and don’t really do anything exciting and just keep it simple before every one and don’t get too excited.”
The Irish Intervarsity Championship tees off at Kirkistown Castle tomorrow morning, with Conor Deeney (Trinity College Dublin), Sam McGlinchey (ATU Donegal) and Dylan Alexander (Queens) set to get proceedings underway at 8.15am.
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