Ireland’s remaining three challengers have all bowed in the Matchplay stages of the weather-disrupted Spanish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Barceló Montecastillo Golf in Jerez de la Frontera.
Paula Grant, who had earlier beaten Swede Beatrice Wallin in their last-32 match 1UP, came up against Wallin’s compatriot, defending champion Frida Kinhult in their last-16 tie.
Unfortunately for the Lisburn native the Swede proved just too strong, defeating Grant 1UP over their reduced 9-hole encounter.
Lurgan’s Annabel Wilson fell at the same hurdle. Having brushed aside Dane Sofie Kibsgaard 2&1 in the morning, she came up against an inspired opponent in Dutchwoman, Romy Meekers.
Wilson went down 4&2 over 9-holes with teen sensation’s challenge brought to an abrupt halt by a formidable player.
Killarney’s Valerie Clancy, the third surviving Irish invader from the qualifying rounds, went down in her last-32 tussle to Frenchwoman, Lou Vrain 3&2.
Unfortunately there was no luck for the other Irish in Spain this week with Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh (80) and Milltown’s Georgia Carr (88) both missing out on the Matchplay stages while Hermitage’s Ciara Casey was forced to retire early.
It proved to be a brutal test of golf in Spain with high winds wreaking havoc upon the field. Still, it’s another international experience under these talented players’ belts and with the season only getting started, this trip will stand to each of them in the long run. Safe home girls.
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