Paula off to Euro contest

Paula Grant says the Irish team heading for the European Ladies’ Team Championship next week are aiming to make the top 8 of the competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jul 2014, 14:30 BST
Paula Grant (Lisburn) driving from the 17th tee during the final round of the 2013 Irish Women's Open Strokeplay Championship at the Castle Golf Club. Picture by Pat CashmanPaula Grant (Lisburn) driving from the 17th tee during the final round of the 2013 Irish Women's Open Strokeplay Championship at the Castle Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman
Paula Grant (Lisburn) driving from the 17th tee during the final round of the 2013 Irish Women's Open Strokeplay Championship at the Castle Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Lisburn girl Paula, 20, will travel with the team of six tomorrow (Saturday), to Slovenia, where they will compete at Ljubljana Golf Club from July 8-12.

The Irish girls were left heartbroken last year when they narrowly missed out on competing in the top 8, finishing 9th by one shot.

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“After two days stroke play the top 8 play for Flight A, the rest are then just playing for 9th. That’s our main aim, to finish in the top 8,” said Paula.

“We were 9th last year by one shot, it was devastating.

“For us to be so close was heartbreaking and with five scores out of six everyone feels like they’ve left shots out there.”

Paula is no stranger to the course at Ljubljana Golf Club, however, and the local girl hopes this will give her an advantage in the competition, which will see around 20 nations compete.

“I was there two years ago,” Paula added. “I played the course, so it’s good that I know it.

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“The course is quite tough, there are a lot of dog legs, fast greens, it suits a good ball striker.”

Paula was due to join fellow team members Jessica Carty, Chloe Ryan, Maria Dunne, Mary Doyle and Olivia Mehaffey at Carton House, Dublin yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday).

The team will work with Coach Paul Thompson whilst they are in Slovenia, but in the run up to the competition, Paula has been working with her coach, Lisburn Pro Stephen Hamill.

“I train every day in summer, I’m either out on the course or practising. It takes up a lot of time, but I love it, so I don’t mind.

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“The ladies team and the girls team will meet on Thursday and Friday at Carton House, It’s a good way to get settled as a team.”

Paula added: “I can’t wait, it should be a good work out as a team. I like working with a team, helping each other out, there’s a good team atmosphere.”