Teenagers Costello and Coulter advance to AIG Irish Women's Close semis
Olivia Costello (Roscommon) on the 3rd during Matchplay Day 1 of the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Ballybunion Golf Club Picture © Golffile | Thos Caffrey
Teenagers Olivia Costello and Beth Coulter lit up the AIG Irish Women’s Close as they progressed to Sunday morning’s semifinals in impressive fashion at Ballybunion.
Roscommon star Costello might be just 13 years old, but she showed maturity beyond her years as she beat the experienced Mairead Martin 4&2, then defeated 2004 champion Deirdre Smith 2&1 in the quarterfinals to set up a semi-final clash with Elm Park’s Anna Foster.
It was also a memorable day for 17-year Coulter from Kirkistown Castle, the leading qualifier, as she beat Elm Park’s Emma Fleming 4&3 and Killarney’s Valerie Clancy 2&1 to clinch a semi-final showdown with Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke
“My aim for the week was to qualify for the Matchplay, but the past two days have been really exciting. I’m just going out and enjoying myself without the pressure”, Costello said after her win over Smith.
“I played solid golf today. I’m playing the course as if it’s a stroke play event. I can’t be worried about what my opponent is doing, and I just keep focusing on my own game.”
As for Coulter, she was breathing a sigh of relief after two tough games.
“There were two of the toughest matches I've ever played”, a relieved Coulter admitted. “My match was tighter with Emma than it looked, and the quality of my match with Valerie was brilliant.
“All of the pressure was on me in the early matches, but I’ve started to relax. It’s all about playing the person in front of you.”
After advancing with wins over Caitlin Shippam and Douglas’ Sara Byrne, Burke said: “I struggled in qualifying on Thursday, so delighted to get to Sunday.
“My game has been up and down in recent weeks. My focus isn’t on golf fully anymore, and I’m just going out and enjoying it. It brings an added freedom.”
Foster came through with wins over Hermitge’s Kate Lanigan and Knock’s Katie Poots, who knocked out Ballybunion’s Emma O’Driscoll on the 21st in the morning.
“I’ve come in under the radar, I feel. I’ve had some tough matches,” the Elm Park talent said. “The wind was similar to Thursday but blew in the opposite direction. It felt like a totally different course today.
“It’s all about staying patient tomorrow and focusing on one shot at a time.”
In the Ita Wallace Plate, 2018 champion Leah Temple Lang from Elm Park won the title for a second time, defeating Clandeboye’s Molly O’Hara on the 20th.
“I’m honoured to win it,” she said. “I didn’t have a great day in qualifying, but the Plate gave me an opportunity to refocus.
“It’s a great thing to have my name now on a Perpetual trophy for a second time. It feels like adding my little mark on history.”
AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship, Ballybunion
Sunday
Semi-finals
8.0 - Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) v Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe)
8.08 - Olivia Costello (Roscommon) v Anna Foster (Elm Park)
Quarter-Finals
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) bt Valerie Clancy (Killarney) 2&1
Sara Byrne l(Douglas) lost to Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) 3&2
Deirdre Smith Co Louth) lost to Olivia Costello (Roscommon) 2&1
Katie Poots (Knock) lost to Anna Foster (Elm Park) 5&3
Second round
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) bt Emma Fleming (Elm Park 4&3
Rachel Thompson (Cork) lost to Valerie Clancy (Killarney) 2&1
Sara Byrne (Douglas) bt Jan Browne (Kilkenny) 6&5
Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen) lost to Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) 5&4
Aine Donegan (Lahinch) lost to Deirdre Smith (Co Louth) 5&4
Mairead Martin (Killarney) lost to Olivia Costello (Roscommon) 4&2
Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) lost to Katie Poots (Knock) 21st
Kate Lanigan (Hermitage) lost to Anna Foster (Elm Park) 2&1
Ita Wallace Plate
Final
Molly O’Hara (Clandeboye) lost to Leah Temple Lang 20th
Semi-Finals
Charlie Maxwell (Royal Curragh) lost to Molly O’Hara (Clandeboye) w/o
Leah Temple Lang (Elm Park) bt Emma Gilmore (Westmanstown) 3&2
