Enniscrone set to host AIG Irish Women’s Close Championship

ENNISCRONE is getting set to welcome some of the top amateur golfers in the country next week with the AIG Irish Women’s Close Championship due to begin on Tuesday.

The event, which will run until Friday and features both match play and stroke play, returns to the west Sligo links eight years on from the last staging of the event on the dunes championship course.

After the recent warm spell, true links golf will greet players from all over the country as they bid to land one of the most coveted pieces of silverware in the Irish amateur game.

Local interest will centre around Sophie Dodd, who is the the sole Enniscrone member in the field. Dodd will play alongside her Connacht senior women’s teammate Ellen Lonergan of Westport on day one, with Connemara’s Noreen O’Neill also in their group.

Enniscrone has a long-standing connection to the Women’s Close, having hosted the championship on three occasions over the last 30 years.

Suzanne Fanagan prevailed in the 1997 edition, while Mary Doyle scooped top honours in 2014. At the most recent staging in 2018, Cork native Sara Byrne, who has since graduated to the professional ranks, got the better of Louise Coffey in the final.

General manager of Enniscrone Golf Links, Keith O’Neill, says the club is looking forward to what promises to be a wonderful occasion.

“We are delighted to welcome Ireland’s leading female amateur golfers to Enniscrone for the AIG Irish Women’s Close Championship,” Mr. O’Neill said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our championship links and the warm hospitality of Enniscrone.

“We wish all the competitors the very best for what promises to be a fantastic week of golf.”

Play is due to begin on Tuesday morning, with the first group on the tee at 8 a.m.