Ellen Lonergan is hoping for a full circle moment when she tees off at the Connacht Over 18 Women’s Senior Amateur Open Championship in Bearna Golf Club on Friday morning with the event holding special significance for the Westport golfer, as she made her Golf Ireland championship debut at this very tournament.
“My first ever Golf Ireland event was the Connacht Women’s when it was held in Westport a few years back,” said Lonergan.
“So since then, it was my dream to be able to win that. It would be a dream come true, definitely.”
48 players are set to compete across the Senior and Junior Championships with the Senior title to be decided over 36 holes, while 18 holes of stroke play will determine the Junior crown.
Among those in the hunt for this year’s Senior title are reigning champion Tracy Eakin (Dooks), Leinster Over 18 Women’s Champion Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) and Irish Women’s Amateur Close Plate winner Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas).
Having completed her freshman year at Wayland Baptist University in Texas, 19-year-old Lonergan has enjoyed a strong season, settling into life across the Atlantic and thriving on the course.
“I settled in better in my second semester and I played fairly consistently over the two semesters,” said Lonergan.
“I managed to win Freshman of the Year, so it shows that I was just consistent, and I think I adjusted well to the lifestyle and the practice schedules. I think that suited me.”
Her award, given to the best freshman golfer across a conference of over 13 universities, capped off a season that included a hat trick of top three finishes, including a runner-up spot at the beginning of her second semester.
Now back in Ireland and hoping to cement her place on the Connacht Interprovincial team this summer, Lonergan must first readjust to home conditions but is looking forward to the challenge that Bearna will provide.
“Obviously the grass is very different here and the weather than in Texas and Oklahoma where I was playing most of the time in the US so getting used to that and wearing rain gear all the time while you’re practicing is a bit different,” said Lonergan.
“I think it’ll suit my game. It’s a tight course and I’d be a fairly straight hitter with my driver, so I think that’ll help me. I think the wedges and short game are going to be important to really score well.”
Lonergan will tee up alongside Sophie Reynolds (Co.Sligo) and Sophie Dodd (Enniscrone) for both rounds, with the trio beginning their opening 18 holes at 9.06am.
Annette O’Reilly (Headfort) and Sylvie Kenneally (Kinsale) will get the Senior Championship underway at 8.00am tomorrow morning, while Caroline Kenny Codyre (Bearna) and Linda Gibbons (Galway) begin the Junior Championship from 10.00am.
View tee times and scoring here
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