Double tops as Gertie adds Senior Close to Open title
The Island's Gertie McMullen receives a kiss from husband and caddy Frazer after her victory in the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy. Picture by Pat Cashman

The Island's Gertie McMullen receives a kiss from husband and caddy Frazer after her victory in the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy. Picture by Pat Cashman

The Island’s Gertie McMullen completed a national double when she defeated leading qualifier Mary MacLaren from Royal Portrush to win her first Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy on Friday.

McMullen raced ahead early to lead by three holes at the turn, a deficit that MacLaren could not close and while holes were exchanged over the back nine, McMullen closed out the match on the 16th green adding the 2015 Seniors Close title to her 2013 Open title won at Castlerock.

In the Plate, Nenagh's Catherine Bird defeated Slieve Russell's Ann Monteith on the home green to win her first Plate championship.

Gertie Mc Mullen (The Island) driving at the 9th hole in the final. Picture by Pat Cashman

Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) bunkered at the 18th green in the semi final of the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy. Picture by Pat Cashman

Valerie Hassett (President, Irish Ladies Golf Union) pictured with (left) Gertie McMullen (The Island) winner of the Irish Senior Women's Close Championship and Catherine Bird (Nenagh) winner of the Plate Final at the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy Golf Club (03/07/2015) Picture by Pat Cashman

Irish Senior Women's Close Championship

Semi-finals

Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) beat Laura Webb (East Berkshire) 1up

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) lost to Gertie McMullen (The Island) 5/3

Final

Gertie McMullen (The Island) bt Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) 3/2.

Winner Catherine Bird (Nenagh) driving at the 15th hole in the final of the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship (Plate). Picture by Pat Cashman

Irish Senior Women's Close Plate

Semi-finals

Catherine Bird (Nenagh) beat Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) 2/1

Fionnuala McGrady (Dunmurry) lost to Ann Monteith (Slieve Russell) 5/4

Final

Catherine Bird (Nenagh) beat Ann Monteith (Slieve Russell) 1up

Ann Monteith (Slieve Russell) reacts to a missed putt on the 14th green in the semi final of the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship (Plate) at Castletroy Golf Club today (03/07/2015) Picture by Pat Cashman

Laura Webb (East Berkshire) reacts to a missed putt on the 14th green in the semi final of the 2015 Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Castletroy. Picture by Pat Cashman