Aideen Walsh. Photograph: INPHO/Tom Maher
ENNIS’ Aideen Walsh bids to make history this weekend when attempting to secure her third consecutive Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s title when she tees off at Rosslare Golf Links on Friday afternoon.
By Caomh Breen Allen
The Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s & Women’s Open Championship runs from 22-24 August on the Wexford coast, where over 100 competitors will tackle the renowned southeast links in the 54-hole Stroke Play event.
This year’s championship carries added significance for the host venue, as Rosslare Golf Links celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.
Aideen arrives in Rosslare on the back of another standout season. The 27-year-old captured the Bridgestone Women’s Order of Merit for the first time after several near misses, while also playing a pivotal role in Ireland’s unbeaten Women’s Home Internationals campaign at Woodhall Spa.
“I think like every season it’s been a bit up and down. There are days that you’re proud of and days that you’re not so proud of, but I’m definitely delighted to win the Order of Merit,” she said. “It’s just something that I wanted to tick off, so I’m glad to have done that now”.
Her year has also earned her a start at the Irish Challenge next week in Malahide and, for Walsh, Rosslare represents not only a chance at an historic hat-trick but also the perfect opportunity for some final preparation.
“I got invited, luckily enough, to the Irish Challenge next week, which is in Malahide so I’m kind of just going to use Rosslare to prepare for that,” said Walsh.
“There are a few things that I’ve been working on since Homes, just a small few things in my approach play. There’s nothing like a card in your hand to prepare for events, so I’m looking forward to it.”
For the Ennis native, the motivation remains the same, steady improvement and enjoyment of the game. “I think what I always learned about golf is, no matter how good you can get, you can always get better”.
“You can really see your progress and that’s probably what has kept me in it. I’m probably playing at elite international level, nearly four or five years now, but it’s also obviously really enjoyable.”
Among those joining Walsh in the women’s field are Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe), the reigning Leinster, Connacht and Munster Women’s Amateur champion; Connacht Women’s winner Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas); and fellow European Mid-Amateur Team Championship bronze medallist Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion).
The men’s championship also boasts quality, with East of Ireland winner David Howard (Fota Island), Connacht runner-up David Reddan, and Castleknock’s Paul Coughlan all part of a strong field.
Local hopes will rest with Rosslare’s 11 representatives as JP Fitzgerald, Rhys Clarke, Gary Collins, Mark Shanahan, Ian Lynch, Geoff Coman, Michael O’Regan, Johnny Stewart, Mark Mullen, Tony O’Leary and Mark Whelan will all look to make home advantage count.
The Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s & Women’s Open Championship gets underway at 8.00am on Friday morning, with Keith Crowley (Fota Island), Brian Lane (Muskerry) and JP Fitzgerald leading off the Men’s championship. The Women’s championship begins at 12.15pm, with Walsh, Burke and Eleanor Brazill (Naas) in the opening group.
