Sheehy's 50-foot monster putt gives Ireland European Senior Ladies’ title

Senior European Champions - L-R: Gertie McMullen (The Island), Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Captain Pauline Walsh (Headfort), Sheena McElroy (Grange), Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown), Laura Webb (East Berkshire), Mary Sheehy (Tralee) & ILGU President & Manager Valerie Hassett (Ennis)

Tralee’s Mary Sheehy holed an incredible 50 foot putt on the 21st to give Ireland a 3-2 win over Belgium and the European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship for the second time.

It was a thrilling finish to a brilliant championship for captain Pauline Walsh’s six-strong team at Sierra Golf Club in Poland.

Portumna’s Suzanne Corcoran put the first point on the board with an astonishing 9&7 win over Marianne Trussart. 

The unbeaten top foursomes pairing of Laytown & Bettystown’s Carol Wickham and Grange’s Sheena McElroy followed up with a 3&2 win to leave Ireland requiring only one more point for the title. 

East Berkshire’s Laura Webb battled hard but fell to Laurette Vanderlinden 3 and 2.

Then Irish Senior Close champion Gertie McMullen from The Island lost one up to  Sylvie Van Molle, leaving the destiny of the title in the hands of rookie Mary Sheehy.

Annick Riff levelled the match coming down the stretch and with tie holes needed to decide the title, Sheehy struck the killer blow on the 21st and holed a 50 foot putt for the win. 

It’s Ireland second win in the event following their breakthrough win in Slovenia in 2013.

European Senior Ladies’ Team Championships – Flight A, Sierra GC, Poland

Saturday 3 September - Final

Detailed scores

Ireland 3 Belgium 2

1. Sheena McElroy & Carol Wickham beat Anne-Marie Toussaint & Anne Joris 3&2
2. Suzanne Corcoran beat Marianne Trussart 9&7
3. Mary Sheehy beat Annick Riff 21st 
4. Laura Webb lost to Laurette Vanderlinden 3&2
5. Gertie McMullen lost to Sylvie Van Molle 1 up

Friday 2 September - Semi-Final

Ireland 3½ Sweden 1½

1. Carol Wickham & Sheena McElroy beat Helene Maxe & Charlotte Rhedin 2&1
2. Suzanne Corcoran beat Christin Moller 1up
3. Mary Sheehy lost to Maria Liberg 2&1
4. Laura Webb beat Catharina Mansson 4&3
5. Gertie McMullen halved with Louise Idestahl 

Quarter-final

Ireland 3½ Switzerland 1½

1. Carol Wickham & Sheena McElroy halved with Anne Argi & Nathalie Roduit 
2. Suzanne Corcoran lost to Jackie Dangel-Orley 4&3
3. Mary Sheehy beat Marie-Christine De Werra 3&2
4. Laura Webb beat Mimmi Guglielmone 4&3
5. Gertie McMullen beat Katherine Hills Peppler 7&5

Irish Qualifying Scores

154 — 80 74 Laura Webb
155 —76 79 Mary Sheehy
155 —74 81 Sheena McElroy
158 —77 81 Suzanne Corcoran
159 —79 80 Gertie McMullen
163 — 81 82 Carol Wickham