David Mulholland secured an eighth place finish at the Senior Amateur Championship as the Irish ended the week on a high.
Both the Senior Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships took place at Royal Dornoch for the first time in the competition’s history and there were five Irish players in the top-20 of both championships after four rounds.
Mulholland was joined by Douglas native Karl Bornemann and Portrush’s Mark McMurray who both shared thirteenth while Malahide’s Alison Taylor was the leading Irishwoman in 16th, a shot and a place ahead of Grange’s Sheena McElroy.
Adrian Morrow and Jody Fanagan both shared 21st place while Laura Webb finished in 23rd place in the Women’s Senior Amateur.
Mulholland finished ten shots adrift of wire-to-wire winner Mike McCoy on thirteen-over.
McCoy of the USA finished on three-over winning by seven shots from compatriot Lee Porter despite an eight-over 78.
Porter shot an excellent level-par 70 but he had left himself too much to do after 54 holes.
“Up until the end I played some of the best golf of my life in this wind,” said McCoy. “My round yesterday (one-under 69) was one of the best of my life.“I knew I had a big lead and I was maybe protecting it a bit today. I was patient all week, which was key. I probably lost a little bit on the back nine today but I just kept my chin up. I grinded hard at the start and when I made the turn after nine I knew I had a lot (of shots) to work with.”
The 59-year-old, who will lead next year’s US Walker Cup team at St Andrews, credited Elliott for inspiring him to victory. He added, “After Gene won, I definitely made it a goal this year to win this championship. I thought if I worked hard maybe it would become my turn. I worked hard over the winter, played well this Spring and was in decent form before I got here. It’s a big honour to have won this championship on such a great course, in tough conditions against such a strong field.”
Things were much tighter on the women’s side with Canada’s Terrill Samuel edging to a two-shot win on twenty-two-over after a final round 75.
Samuel said, “It’s unbelievable to do win on this course, in such tough conditions. I played poorly on the front nine yesterday, but today I made a great start and that helped me mentally. It made me hang in there and I just battled hard over the back nine.
“This is my biggest win in golf because I was born in the UK. I was born in Twickenham and moved to Canada with my parents when I was two months old. I used to come over every year and spend time with my grandparents in Cornwall and play amateur events over here so it feels like a home win.“I know Diane Williams, so to get my name on the trophy with hers and become the third Canadian winner is a huge honour.”
Gertie McMullen and Kate Evans rounded off the Irish scoring on +41 and +43.
Mens scoring HERE
Women’s scoring HERE
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