Clubs gear up for Ladies Championships

The final of the inaugural All-Ireland AA Insurance Ladies Championships gets underway at Headfort Golf Club this Wednesday, October 4.

A field of 128 golfers will tee off with the hope of landing silverware for the club cabinet.

The Championship has given 15,000 players with all handicap ranges, from across the northern, eastern, southern, western and midland districts, an unprecedented opportunity to compete at national level in six new inter-club matchplay competitions.

“For the first time our golfers have been given the opportunity to compete at a level that is on a par with male golf competitions,” said Sinéad Heraty of the Irish Ladies Golf Union.

“The player’s commitment and dedication has been fuelled by unfailing support from fellow club members, family and friends at every stage. We look forward to an exciting final in Headfort this week and to continued success and strong growth in the competition next year.”

Two clubs hopeful of success are Craddockstown from the Eastern district and Courtown from the midlands district.

Craddockstown has produced impressive performances throughout the championship, holding off competition from Castle, Malahide and Skerries clubs in the eastern district final last August.

Their prowess has seen them secure a place in no less than three competitions: the singles junior and intermediate cups and the senior foursomes.

The championships are the first of their kind in ILGU history and reflect the growth of ladies golf in Ireland.

The ILGU has seen its membership double to 60,000 since 1990 and the organisation is confident that the new competition’s success will increase membership significantly over the next 10 years.

The championship involves the biggest ever sponsorship in Irish ladies golf and is the first competition in a three year partnership between the Irish Ladies Golf Union and AA Insurance.

“The popularity of golf among women in Ireland has grown at a tremendous rate over recent years and the support of the championships is testament to the calibre and standard of play in ladies golf,” said Conor Faughnan of AA Insurance.

“This has not only encouraged our golfers to achieve at a high level but it has also promoted a strong team spirit among all players nationwide.”