The semi-finalists of the 2021 Irish Girls’ Close Championship were confirmed on Thursday as the scoring was as hot as the weather in Tramore Golf Club.
Waterford's Anna Dawson, Emma Fleming, Katie Poots and Beth Coulter successfully negotiated their last 16 and quarter final matches to set up a stellar final day line-up.
‘I don’t even know what went well today, the golf was just amazing,’ said Dawson, who was 6-under for her match against top seed qualifier Rebekah Gardner. ‘I think Rebekah could have been 4 or 5 under as well. She hit it into 3 or 4 feet for eagle on the 8th and I was like wow. You really just have to step up to that standard when you’re playing in finals and semi-finals.’
Dawson has drawn local support from Tramore, which seems to be having a positive effect.
‘I like the crowd, I don’t mind it at all, it kind of encourages me really. Like even if Dad is walking around he’ll put the thumbs up or say good shot or whatever, that sort of pushes me on a bit I feel.’
Beth Coulter, 2019 Irish Girls’ Champion played Hannah Guerin in the last 16 before facing Olivia Costello (Roscommon) this afternoon.
Beth Coulter of Kirkistown Castle Golf Club during the second round of the Irish Girls' Close Amateur Championship, Tramore Golf Club, Tramore, Waterford, IRL. 15/07/2021.
Picture Tom Beary / Golffile.ie
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‘To be honest I wasn’t happy with my qualifying rounds, it was very sloppy and I couldn’t get the ball in the hole but I went down onto the range this morning and just tried to sort it out then went out hitting the ball much better. I got the match finished this morning and the same this afternoon, I hit it well but held a few more putts which was nice.’
Also well under par for her afternoon round, Coulter is feeling the added pressure of being defending champion, albeit a year late.
‘I feel like that’s maybe part of the problem, I’m putting it on myself and from what others are saying about me being defending champion but I think I’m just going to forget about it now I’m obviously in the semi-final and I’ve just got to take each match as it comes.’
Meanwhile, in the Pat Fletcher Plate, Vicki Conlon (Enniscrone) will play Niamh O’Grady (Blackbush) in tomorrow’s semi-final while Sarah O’Brien (Elm Park) will play Olivia McCrystal (Holywood).
