Round-up: No birthday joy for Geoff Lenehan; LPGA award for Stephanie Meadow

Geoff Lenehan in action at Tortugas Country Club

Portmarnock's Geoff Lenehan couldn't celebrate his birthday with a first international championship win in Argentina.

Representing the Ireland alongside Faithlegg's Robin Dawson, the Dubliner made friends but left Argentina empty-handed as Australian John Cameron claimed the Australian Amateur Open Championship. Scoring

The Irish pair began their two week trip with a share of eighth in the weather-affected Copa Juan Tailhade at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos, where Canada's Eric Banks and Tony Gil took the team title and Argentina's Matías Simaski claimed the individual glory.

They then moved on to Tortugas Country Club for for last week's 120th edition of the Argentinian Amateur and while just nine holes were possible due to torrential rain in the first strokeplay qualifying round, Dawson shot a 64 on day two to lead the qualifiers for the match play stages from 65 shooter Lenehan.

Dawson fell in the last 16 but Lenehan went on to reach the quarter-finals where he fell to eventual champion Cameron by 4 and 3. Cameron beat Brasil's Andre Tourinho 2 and 1 Saturday's final when Lenehan turned 28.

Stephanie Meadow recognised with Heather Farr Perseverance Award

Stephanie Meadow has been awarded The Heather Farr Perseverance Award after a tough year personally an professional, writes the ILGU.

The award honours an LPGA player who, through her hard work and dedication and love of the game of golf, has demonstrated determination and perseverance on the road to fulfilling her goals.

Stephanie’s father, Robert Meadow was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer earlier this year and Stephanie took a step back during her rookie career to spend time with him.

Unfortunately, Robert lost his battle in May and Stephanie returned to play later that month. Stephanie’s fellow LPGA Tour players voted for her to receive this award in recognition of the difficult year she had.

Juli Inkster, victorious 2015 Solheim Cup Captain was voted by LPGA Tour players as the recipient of the William and Mousie Powell Award. It is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the spirits, ideals and values of the LPGA.

Inbee Park received the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award and Sei Young Kim was honoured with her Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award, which she clinched with two events remaining in the season.

Meadow had a lightening start to her professional career when she made an incredible debut at the Women’s US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina in June 2014, finishing in third place and three shots behind eventual winner Michelle Wie with prize money of more than $270,000.

She narrowly missed out on securing her LPGA Category 12 Tour Card during the Final Stage of Qualifying at Daytona Beach, Florida in December 2014.

Stephanie was subject to a sudden death playoff alongside six other players in order to gain three of the Category 12 Tour Cards on offer.  In the end, Stephanie lost out to Karlin Beck on the 11th playoff hole and gained Category 17 (Conditional) Tour Status.

Stephanie will return to Daytona Beach, Florida to play in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament – Stage III where she gained her conditional status last year. Qualifying will take place from 30 November – 6 December and she will compete for 20 places amongst a field of 158 other hopefuls.

Players who finish in the top 20 will earn membership through category 12 on the LPGA Tour priority list while those who finish 21 through 45 with earn membership through category 17. In laymen’s terms, players who finish in the top 20 will have “full-time” status on the LPGA Tour while players that finish 21 through 45 will have “conditional” status.  

Further information on Qualifying Tournament Stage III can be found here