Tramore's Dawson crowned Women's Amateur Close champion

Eva Branks and Mairead Martin claim Plate titles

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025 - 19:29

Daragh Small

Tramore golfer Anna Dawson said winning the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship was ‘the icing on the cake’ for her season after an enthralling final.

Dawson had held a 4up lead through 10 holes in Ardee but her opponent, Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park), was resolute and came with a ferocious late rally.

Hamilton won 11, 14, 15 and 17 to send the match to its thrilling conclusion down the final hole. However, the 22-year-old, who is representing the Irish Women at Home Internationals in Woodhall Spa next week, showed a gritty determination to help her seal the title on the 18th green.

“It got very close there at one stage. Holly birdied 14, 15, 16 and 17, it was crazy golf. She definitely played her best,” said Dawson.

“I was just trying to continue playing the golf I was playing all week. Fairway, green, two-putt and if it drops it’s a bonus. I was delighted to get it over the line.

“It feels great especially with dad on the bag, to share it together. Poor mum couldn’t make it up today, my brothers as well, I’m sure they were watching it live on the stream.

“He’s (Dad) out there every time. He missed one tournament when he got a new hip, a friend of ours caddied and I still won but he’s there for me the whole time which is great, he’s always supportive, as well as mum.

“My heart was pounding (on 18) but it was fine, I got it over the line, so can’t complain.

“This is definitely the icing on the cake. It’s nice to top off the summer with the home schedule in Ireland.

“I’m looking forward to Home Internationals next week, I have great confidence going into Match Play after this week, so really looking forward to it.”

There would also be drama in the AIG Irish Girls Amateur Close Plate Final as the match went to extra holes to determine the winner. Eva Branks (Malone) held her nerve to secure victory on the 20th hole of her playoff against Alexandra Kearney (Stackstown).

Kanturk golfer Mairead Martin won the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Over-18 Plate, when she defeated Laura Webb (Royal Portrush) 5&3 in the final.

It was an awesome display from the Corkonian who went 1up on the third hole and although Webb got straight back on terms, she was 3 down by the turn. Martin won 13, 14 and 15 to be crowned champion.

ISPA Handa Close Championships winner Brendan Lawlor at Ardee. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

In the ISPS Handa G4D @ Ardee, local golfer Brendan Lawlor took home the Division 1 Gross title following a second round 73. He backed up his opening 70 to finish clear of Cian Arthurs (Roganstown) in second and Paul O’Kelly (Portmarnock) in third.

“It’s amazing (to win in Ardee),” said Lawlor.

“Even through my professional career, I do a lot of my practice here, I’m affiliated with Carton House also, so I practice up in Carton one or two days a week, and then the rest is in Ardee.

“The pros Brian Curley and assistant Fintan Lawlor, would be my cousin, they are awful good to me and let me play whenever I want and include me in anything they can which is special.

“I played some really solid golf this week, I struggled with a shoulder injury the last week or so. I know the place extremely well so I wasn’t going full pelt.

“I was kind of cozying it around, knew where to miss it, knew where to not miss it. I was +1 for two days, wasn’t bad scoring.”

In the Division 2 (Gross) Lambeg golfer Mark Clougherty was victorious after he finished on -5, ahead of Malcolm Thompson (Bangor) and Paul Kelly (Co Armagh).

Co Tipperary golfer, Timmy Moloney, edged the Division 3 Stableford with a total of 75 points. He finished ahead of Jarlath King (Ballinrobe), Cathy Fitzgerald (Killeen Castle) and Tom Doherty (Killarney).