DRAW FOR IRISH STROKE-PLAY AT THE ISLAND GC, MAY 26

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNIONIreland’s Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) launches her defence of the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay title when competitors tee it up at The Island Golf Club on Saturday 26 May.Maguire, fresh from her selection on the GB&I Curtis Cup team to play the USA in Nairn next month, led from wire-to-wire to win last year’s Championship at Elm Park from Curtis Cup team mate Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), who’s college commitments sees her as a leading omission from this year’s field.
Leona’s twin sister Lisa is sure to feature in the final groupings on Sunday afternoon as are high performance panelists Paula Grant (Lisburn) and Jessica Carty (Holywood) who are showing some strong early season form. With a quarter of the 72 strong quality field playing off scratch or lower, current Internationals Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) and Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) will face stiff overseas competition from a host of internationals travelling from Belgium, France, England, Scotland and Wales.
Past Irish Champions Mary Dowling (New Ross), Karen Delaney (Carlow) and Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) join recently crowned Munster champion Amy Farrell (Moate) while Leinster Interprovincal Champions Maria Dunne (Skerries) and Áedín Murphy (Carlow) and youngsters Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry), Olivia Mehaffey (RCD Ladies) and Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park) are sure to feature in Sunday morning’s late pairings as the leaders tee off at the end of the field.
72 competitors will play 36 holes stroke play on Saturday morning and afternoon with the top 40 making the cut for the final 18 holes on Sunday. With complimentary entry for spectators, visitors to The Island are most welcome.Ireland will defend their Nations Cup after defeating Spain, Wales, Germany, England and Scotland in last year’s event.

IRISH WOMEN’S OPEN AMATEUR STROKEPLAY – THE ISLAND, SATURDAY 26 MAY
Tee 107:30 Alison Taylor (Malahide) Aoife Lowry (Tipperary) Sophie Harrison (Sutton)
07:40 Ashleigh Wilton (The Island) Anna Courtney (St. Anne's) Laura Grant (Lisburn)
07:50 Patrice Delaney (Birr) Sarah Helly (Enniscrone) Kirsty Condon (ENG)
08:00 Victoria Craig (Clandeboye) Niamh McSherry (Lurgan) Lisa O'Shea (Shannon)
08:10 Chloe Weir (Shandon Park) Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare) Niamh Ward (Lurgan)
08:20 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) Lorellen Gros (FRA) Emily Taylor (ENG)
08:30 Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park) Olivia Mehaffey (RCD Ladies) Sammy Vass (SCO)
08:40 Holly Robinson (Co. Sligo) Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) Ashley Constantine (The Island)
08:50 Shauna O'Brien (Clonmel) Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook) Darcey Carr (Milltown)
09:00 Laura Doherty (Howth) Orla Egan (Roscrea) Zoe Allen (Lurgan)
09:10 Joelle van Baarle (BEL) Mary Dowling (New Ross) Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor)
09:20 Kelsey Coey (Clandeboye) Jessica Ross (Donaghadee) Christine Armanasco (Belturbet)

Tee 1007:30 Eilidh Briggs (SCO) Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) Maria Dunne (Skerries)
07:40 Cliodhna McCarthy (Stackstown) Rebecca O'Regan (Newlands) Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little)
07:50 Alyson McKechin (SCO) Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) Paula Grant (Lisburn)
08:00 Megan Briggs (SCO) Lucy Simpson (Massereene) Sue Phillips (Woodbrook)
08:10 Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) Jessica Wilcox (ENG) Karen O'Neill (Douglas)
08:20 Lauren Blease (ENG) Jessica Meek (SCO) Jessica Carty (Holywood)
08:30 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) Karen Delaney (Carlow) Hannah McCook (SCO)
08:40 Katherine O'Connor (WAL) Gabrielle MacDonald (SCO) Jean O'Driscoll (Muskerry)
08:50 Kristina Rothengatter (GER) Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) Sinead Sexton (Lahinch)
09:00 Nicole Whitmore (ENG) Gillian O'Leary (Cork) Jane Turner (SCO)
09:10 Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) Aedin Murphy (Carlow) Amy Farrell (Moate)
09:20 Nicola Coffey (Woodbrook) Shannen Browne (The Heath) Suzie Hayes (Hermitage)