Paula beats field to lift Scratch Cup

LISBURN’S Paula Grant joined a very select group of legends when she won the prestigious Scratch Cup at the Hermitage Golf Club at Lucan, Dublin last weekend.

The high quality field included all the top Irish amateurs. Curtis Cup player Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) and her twin sister Lisa were two of the favourites. In the cold but dry conditions Mary Dowling (New Ross) set the pace with a first round of 69.

Paula was two strokes behind after her opening round of 71. Leona Maguire finished with 75.

In the afternoon Paula continued to play well and finished with a 73 for a total of 144. Dowling slipped to a 76 while Leona Maguire’s 70 was the best afternoon score. Dowling and Maguire finished joint second on 145. Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) holed her 5 wood approach at the long 16th for an eagle to share fourth place.

Points were awarded towards the ILGU/Titlist Scratch Cup Circuit competition. Four events counted from a possible six. With a previous victory at Royal County Down, Paula finished third on 190. Mary Dowling won with 202 points followed by Deirdre Smith on 192.

HERMITAGE LADIES SCRATCH CUP RESULTS: (PAR 73 73, CSS 75 75) 144 Paula Grant (Lisburn) 71 73 145 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 75 70 Mary Dowling (New Ross) 69 76 150 Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) 75 75 Maria Dunne (Skerries) 72 78 151 Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) 76 75 152 Patrice Delaney (Birr) 78 74 Amy Farrell (Moate) 77 75 Jessica Carty (Holywood) 76 76 153 Gillian O’Leary (Cork) 76 77 154 Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park) 74 80 155 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 75 80