Maguire and Dowling set for battle royal at Fota

THE superstar status of the Maguire twins from Slieve Russell has given ladies golf in this country a massive boost. So there was huge disappointment when holder Leona’s early exit ensured there would be no final battle between the 14 year-olds at the Lancome Irish Women’s Close Championship at Fota Island Resort today.

However, her sister Lisa is left to fly the family flag but faces an acid test in this morning’s final against Mary Dowling, New Ross, one of the finest golfing talents in the country. They go head-to-head at 10am and with a fascinating duel in prospect, golfing enthusiasts would be well advised not to miss it.

Dowling, playing off scratch since the weekend, is 18 years Lisa’s senior, and after giving up golf for a spell is now back to her best. However, the weekend started on a sour note when her car broke down en route to Cork and she had to be rescued by her father and caddy John.

She was brilliant in yesterday’s semi-final, going three up after nine holes against Muskerry’s Laura McCarthy (3) who played to a standard well beyond her 16 years.

This game was decided on the par 3, 16th: “I’m hitting fairways and most of the greens in regulation. Anytime I didn’t, I managed to get up and down. I played pretty solid, turning three up. I am swinging nicely and just picking a line and hitting the ball.

“My aim this year was to get down to scratch and I did that on Sunday. I didn’t take up golf seriously again until recently after giving it up a few years ago. I work as a lecturer in college, but this year I decided I would play in everything. Getting down to scratch has been my motivation.

“I have no expectations against Lisa. I am enjoying myself. I am older and wiser now. I take what happens, I don’t get upset and I just go on to the next hole if it goes against me. I have nothing to lose tomorrow, I am the complete underdog,” she added.

The championship is being played on the wonderful new nine holes and the last nine of the 18 hole course. While daunting to most golfers, especially as this competition is played for the most part off green tees, they made light of the conditions and yardage.

The impeccable Lisa Maguire has been coolness personified throughout this championship. Striking the ball superbly, she defied wind and rain to close out her match against Niamh Kitching (+1) from Claremorris on the 15th. Her father Declan does the caddying duties while uncle Tony is the bag man for Leona.

Lisa lost last year’s final last year against Leona and hopes to go one better: “It would have been nice to have met Leona again but that is the way it goes. Niamh started well today with two birdies, but I fought back with two birdies and played well after that. Dad has all the distances so it is good to have him with me.”

It’s been a daunting campaign and this evening the finalists will have played seven rounds of golf.

“Yeah, I will be tired all right. But, we are staying in a house on the course. So, we don’t have to worry about getting to the venue. I am looking forward to going home now and watching some television,” Lisa added.

Although Kitching, studying for a Masters in UL and who works with Junior Golf Ireland, was disappointed, she believes Lisa will be hard to beat.

“No offence to the other girls but she is away ahead of the field,” she said.