Tennant and Kenneally win dramatic playoffs in Lough Erne
Shane Kenneally (Kinsale GC) and Lara Tennant (Waverley Country Club, USA) winners of the Irish Senior Close and Open Championships 2024, played at Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Northern Irelnd. 05/07/2024. Picture: David Lloyd | Golffile.
Lara Tennant is the 2024 Irish Senior Women’s Amateur Open Champion after coming through a two-hole playoff to win the title at Lough Erne Golf Resort.
Tennant shot a final round 69 (-3), the low round of the day, and was rewarded with a place in a three-way playoff alongside overnight leader Terrill Samuel of Canada and Spain’s Natalia Martínez-Reboredo, who each finished on six-over par.
The Par 3 18th played host to the sudden death playoff which led to an exciting finish. After each of the trio made par on their first attempt, they returned to the tee for another go and on this occasion Tennant’s fantastic approach left a short putt for birdie, which she holed to claim the win.
“I’m just so pleased with my day, I’m pleased with the tournament, kudos to my fellow competitors. Three of us in the final holes, in a playoff, anyone can win. So I just feel very fortunate that I was able to birdie that last hole” said the three-time U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur champion.
Preparing on the tee for the second playoff hole, Tennant knew exactly what was required and duly delivered.
“By that time I had played the hole three times, so I was pretty confident in my club selection and that always helps you. I hit a good shot, the wind took it a little left and the distance seemed to be very good” recalled the recently crowned Scottish Women’s Senior Amateur champion.
Standing over that final putt, the Waverley Country Club golfer removed the pressure from the situation and just focused on giving herself a chance.
“Just get the ball to the hole, keep my head still, and you know, just try to put a good stroke on it. You don’t have that much control beyond that. So I tried not to think about it’s for the win. You just think - you just try to make this putt”
There’s not much rest for Tennant who flies to England tomorrow to prepare for the R&A Senior Amateur Championship at Staunton, where she will look to complete a hat-trick of wins across GB&I, and heads there in a buoyant mood.
“I’m feeling great, I never expected to win the Irish Amateur, so this is a bonus”
Meanwhile the 2024 Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Championship was also settled by a playoff, with Kinsale's Shane Kenneally coming out on top after three additional trips to the closing hole on the Faldo Course at Lough Erne.
As was the case with the women, there were three golfers through to the playoff as Kenneally was joined by Eddie McCormack (Galway Bay) and Alan Duffy (Royal Tara), all ending the day on three-over par.
On their first visit to 18, Kenneally and McCormack secured their pars but Duffy failed to convert his second putt and so it was left to Kenneally and McCormack to battle it out.
The pair couldn’t be separated on their second attempt with the hole halved in par, but it was third time lucky for Kenneally, who’s long two-putt par was enough to secure the victory on the third playoff hole, as heavy rain began to fall in Fermanagh.
Speaking in the aftermath, the Kinsale golfer couldn’t hide his delight at getting his hands on the trophy.
“Ecstatic, happy, hasn’t quite sunk in, probably because I’m feeling a bit cold and wet from the rain. It’ll sink in on the way home in the car I think. There’ll be a few whoops in the car!”
Talking about that pressure-filled par putt, the Corkman described how he took confidence from his putting over the week as he stepped up to the twelve-footer that ultimately won him the championship.
“Be positive, and make sure you get the pace right. I was fairly happy generally over the three days, anything eight to ten/twelve feet I was fairly good at. I didn’t miss anything short over the three days, it was just pace. Keep the pace and don’t leave it short. “
The other title winners on the day were Castlerock’s David Mulholland (Men’s 55-59), East Sussex National’s Steven Graham (Men’s 60-64), Laytown & Bettystown’s Frank Flynn (Men’s 65-69), Birr’s William Donlon (70+), Weston Golf & Country Club’s Terrill Samuel (Women’s 60+), and The Island’s Gertie McMullen (Women’s Net).