Knock golfer Katie Poots said it was special to have family by her side as she was crowned AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Champion.
The 21-year-old had her sister Erin as her caddie in the decider against Hannah Lee McNamara (Royal Portrush), while her mother and father were also in Enniscrone to celebrate the win.
Local golfer, Sophie Dodd won the O-18 Women’s Plate while Sophie Park (Grange) claimed the Girls’ crown.
Poots, who was leading qualifier into the match play stages where she had registered an albatross earlier in the week, was too strong in the decider.
She got ahead as early as the second hole against Lee McNamara and while the Royal Portrush golfer reeled her in momentarily, Poots won the fifth and sixth to open up a lead she would never relinquish.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” said Poots.
“It’s been a busy week with my sister playing and everything, a lot of mixed emotions, but delighted to get it over the line and celebrate with my family.
“When I was two down with four to play (in the semi-final) my sister just told me to trust my game and just keep doing what I have been doing. It worked out in the end but it was a really good finish. I had three birdies to finish.
“I just stuck to my game plan (in the final), hit fairways, hit greens and then hit putts and see if they drop. Ended up winning which is lovely, that was just the main goal.
“It was so nice to get it over the line with my family beside me, doesn’t happen too often with the four of us and then having Erin on the bag was really nice, to have her in the midst of everything.”
Lee McNamara was emphatic in the semi-finals and secured a 6&5 win over her Home Internationals Girls’
That meant she was able to rest up while reigning champion Anna Dawson (Tramore) and Poots battled deep into the back nine in the other semi-final, with Poots birdieing her way to victory down the last.
When they teed off in the afternoon, Poots still had the momentum from her semi-final win, and after they shared the last three holes of the front nine it left her with a 2up lead making the turn.
The Indiana star won 10 and 11 and despite a brilliant tee shot on the Par 4 12th that left Lee McNamara with a putt for eagle, where a birdie was enough to seal that hole, Poots got back in the ascendency straight away.
McNamara kept the match alive with another crucial win on 14 but Poots cruised to a stunning 4&3 success, before she turns her attentions to Home Internationals in Woodbrook next week.
“Game is in good position and just continue doing what I am doing going onto next week,” said Poots.
View the final scores here
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