Austin Garvin
HEARTIEST congratulations to Kate Gallagher of Claremorris Golf Club on her magnificent achievement in being crowned Lancôme Irish Girls’ Close champion at Ballinasloe Golf Club on Friday last.
We were there to witness the emotional scenes that greeted her victory. Her parents were present, as were a huge throng of locals to witness the young player produce the golf of her life to take the title.
This is a very difficult title to win, as the players first have to qualify for the matchplay stages of the Championship proper. After qualifying, Kate had to play five matches to win the Championship; she defeated three current inter-provincial players in Ciara Walsh (Headfort), Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) and Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush). In fact, Sarah Cunningham and Stephanie Meadow have both been selected on their respective senior teams to contest the Inter-provincial Championships in Portarlington in August.
Kate had to go to the 21st hole to defeat her close friend Cunningham (Ennis) in the semi-final. This was a classic match in which she had to birdie the 18th to bring the match to extra holes. A birdie was required also to finish the match on the 21st.
She was pitted against reigning champion Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) in the final. Meadow is currently on a scholarship to the US and has performed very well on the collegiate circuit over there. She was a strong favourite to retain the title but was never allowed to settle as Kate went three up after ten. Although Meadow came back strongly, the young Claremorris woman held a one-hole advantage going up the par five 18th hole. She split the flag with her approach shot with Meadow finding the bunker on the right with her second shot. The Ennis player hit her third shot up a tree to the right of the green and after it failed to come down she duly conceded and Kate was crowned champion.
In her acceptance speech, Kate acknowledged the input of her father Séamus in taking her to Brendan McDaid (Rathsallagh) regularly for coaching. She also thanked Dave Kearney who also coached her in the past.
Kate was named in the Irish team afterwards to contest the Home internationals in Wales in August. Remarkably, her two sisters Emily and Sarah have both played for Ireland in the past.
Claremorris can now boast the Irish Boys (Stephen Healy) and Irish Girls champions at the same time. Is this a record?
