McMullen one off the pace in Spanish Seniors

Gertie McMullen (The Island). Picture Pat Cashman Photography

The Island's Gertie McMullen is just a shot off the lead after the opening round of the Spanish International Senior Ladies Amateur Championship in Malaga.

She shot a five-over par 77 to share fourth place at Parador Málaga Golf behind Germany's Cornelia Schmidt-Stuetzle, Wales' Jane Rees and the Netherlands' Tita McCart.

Helen Jones is tied 21st after an 81 with Mary MacLaren and Catherine Reilly 32nd after 83s.

Marilyn Henderson (85), Vivienne Houston and Kate Evans (86), Mary Dowling (89), Dawn Scarborough (95), Catherine Owens (99) and Kathleen Moylan (103) complete the Irish challenge.

The field played the Spanish International Senior Double Ladies Amateur Championship on Tuesday and Wednesday with Rees and England's Jo Shorrocks following a 65 in the fourballs with a 76 in foursomes to win by a stroke on three-under 141 from The Netherlands' Laurence Nolte and Siene Dresselhuys.

Henderson and Reilly (66-81) were tied 14th on 147 with McMullen and Scotland's Meg Sievwright (69 79) tied 16th on 148.

• Spanish International Senior Ladies Amateur Championship - First rd. scores
• Spanish International Senior Double Ladies Amateur Championship  - Final results