Ireland trio head to World Cup
Irish champion Tricia Mangan (Ennis), Claire Coughlan (Cork) and Martina Gillen (Beaverstown) will represent Ireland at the Espirito Santo Womens Amateur World Cup at Stellenbosch, October 18-21.
Ireland’s threesome were part of the Curtis Cup team that went down to a formidable USA side, 11½-6½ in July. Ireland’s fourth representative at Bandon Dunes, Tara Delaney, was unavailable for selection due to college commitments in the USA.
Chief rxecutive Sinead Hearty said: “We have great strength in our squad which is testament to the level of talent that is currently in Irish ladies’ golf.
“I am confident this team will produce the high standard of golf required for the World Cup and I am delighted with the vision and expertise of the Irish Sports Council who from the very outset supported Ireland’s participation at this level,” she added.
This is the first year Ireland are sending a team since 1964 when the event was held in Paris for the first time.
Back then, Elisabeth Roberts (nee Barnett), Ita Butler (nee Burke) and Zelie Gaynor (nee Fallon) formed the team.
In 1966, the first GB&I team was sent to this biennial championship and this has been the case ever since due to the excessive expense of competing around the globe.
The nearest any Irish player has come to winning the title was Mary McKenna in the GB&I team that tied for second place with South Africa behind the United States in 1974.
Ireland’s team will be captained by the experienced Lilian Starrett and the national coach David Kearney will also be on hand when the squad departs to South Africa in early October.
Claire Coughlan (26) member at Cork GC, played in 2004 and 2006 Curtis Cups and 2005 Vagliano Trophy; runner up in 2005 Ladies British Championship at Littleston; Irish Ladies’ Champion 1999 and Irish Stroke Play Champion 2003; second in qualifying for the 2006 Ladies’ British Championship and made last 32.
Martina Gillen (24) member of Beaverstown GC from Ballyjamesduff, Ireland; attended Kent State University, graduating in 2004 in business management. Curtis Cup team 2006, Vagliano Trophy team 2005; runner-up 2006 Irish Championship; winner 2006 Irish Open Strokeplay; 2000 Irish Girls’ Champion.
Tricia Mangan (32) member of Ennis GC; Irish Ladies’ Champion 2005 and 2006, Curtis Cup team 2006; Irish Order of Merit winner 2003 & 2005; Irish Intermediate Champion 1994, 1996 and 1997; Vagliano Trophy 2003 and 2005; quarter-finalist 2006 Ladies’ British Championship.
Also Travelling: Ann Heskin (president), Lilian Starrett (team captain), David Kearney (national coach).
