News
GERMANY Win European Senior Ladies' Team Championship
31 August 2009
Friday 4 September - Matchplay Final
Eight qualifiers Germany (pictured) beat Italy on the final hole of the final match to win the European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, Friday 4th September 2009.
Underdogs Germany lost the second and fifth matches early on, but a win in the foursomes on the eighteenth rallied the remaining ties still on the course. Hero of the day was Chris Utermarck who came from behind to hit the final green in regulation and clinch Germany’s first victory at this level.
England overwhelmed Spain to win bronze while France defeated Scotland to finish 5th.
Ireland suffered a third matchplay defeat in as many days losing out by the odd match to Sweden. Valerie Hassett and Violet McBride led the charge with a win on the home green and Sheena McElroy added a 5/4 victory to surge Ireland into a two nil lead. Anna Donnerstad and Birgitta Ljung replied for Sweden leaving the remaining match between Phil O’Gorman and Eva Lindberg as the deciding tie. Unluckily for Ireland, the Swede holed from 25 feet to birdie the last and closed out the match with a par on nineteen after O’Gorman found trouble off the tee.
In the second flight, Belgium claimed 9th place with a convincing win over Switzerland while the Netherlands beat Finland to finish 11th. Austria defeated Denmark in the final fixture to finish 13th.
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Thursday 3 September - Matchplay Semi-Finals
Seventh qualifiers Italy will play eight qualifiers Germany in the final of the European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, Wednesday 2nd September 2009.
Italy once again inflicted a shock defeat upon seeded opposition when they defeated Spain 3½-1½. Spain won the foursomes comfortably but the Italian middle order adapted to the blustery conditions admirably to ensure their place in tomorrow’s final.
In similar fashion, underdogs Germany upset the form guide with a 3-2 victory over favourites England. Germany won the foursomes, but England forged ahead with two strong victories only for Germany to close out the final two matches on the seventeenth and twentieth holes.
Ireland was unlucky to lose to Scotland by the odd match. Helen Jones and Sheena McElroy notched early victories only for the foursomes pairing of Valerie Hassett and Violet McBride to lose out on the penultimate hole. Marilyn Henderson was defeated on the seventeen and Ireland’s fate was sealed when Phil O’Gorman fell to Lorna Bennett on sixteen.
Ireland now face second qualifiers Sweden in tomorrow’s play off for 7th and 8th place while Italy play Germany and Spain play England for the medal positions.
In the second flight, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria defeated Finland, Netherlands and Slovenia and will play off to determine positions 9 through 12 tomorrow.
Wednesday 2 September - Matchplay Quarter-Finals
Leading qualifiers Ireland crashed out of the medal positions after losing to Germany in the quarter-finals of the European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, Wednesday 2nd September 2009.
In persistent rainfall, the foursomes pairing of Valerie Hassett and Violet McBride fell to Karin Gumpert and Nicolle Eicke-Huth on the sixteenth green. Marilyn Henderson failed to repeat her superb form in the second qualifying round and was defeated on the fourteenth while Sheena McElroy went down 3/2. Phil O’Gorman was the only ray of sunshine on an otherwise miserable day for the Irish when she romped home 5/4.
On a day of shock surprises, second favourites Sweden fell to Italy by the odd match while third qualifiers France suffered a similar fate against sixth qualifiers Spain. The only seed to survive the quarter-finals was England who comfortably beat Scotland to book their semi-final place.
In the second flight, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands defeated Slovenia, Austria and Denmark to play off for positions 9 through 11 over the next two days.
Ireland now face fifth qualifiers Scotland in today’s play off for 5th and 6th places while Italy play Spain and England take on Germany for a berth in Friday’s final.
Tuesday 1 September - Qualifying Round 2
Ireland created history by leading the field after the qualifying rounds of the 15 nation European Senior Ladies’ Team Championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club.
In high winds and thundery showers, Ireland’s Valerie Hassett led the host nation’s challenge with an impressive 77 which looked highly unlikely after opening bogeys at the first, second and fourth. Her experience carried her through the rocky start with birdies at the seventh, thirteenth and eighteenth to complete a solid back nine in just one over par.
Marilyn Henderson and Sheena McElroy were next best with two 78s which spurred Ireland to an unassailable lead of 6 shots over defending champions Sweden. Anki Hermansson and Eva Lindberg returned two 79s which saw them lead Spain by seventeen shots in third place, followed closely by England, Scotland and France.
Ireland now face eight qualifiers Germany while Scotland face third favourites England for a place in the semi finals. Elsewhere, Spain play France in the tie of the round while second favourites Sweden play Italy.
Monday 31 August - Qualifying Round 1
In gale force winds and driving rain, Ireland’s Phil O’Gorman led the host nation’s challenge with a sparkling 78 in the worst of the conditions. A wretched double bogey at the first was soon forgotten as she followed with birdies at four, ten and seventeen to leapfrog Ireland into the medal places. Helen Jones was next best with 81 while Violet McBride and Sheena O’Brien Keeney signed for 83.
Defending Champions Sweden were next best on 412 who had Viveca Hoff to thank after she matched the best of the day with an impressive 77. Birgitta Ljung added an 80 to secure second place ahead of England who’s Chris Quinn led the charge with a fine 78. Spain was next on 420 while a strong Scottish side were next best, 3 shots back.
Competitors will play a second round of 18 holes on Tuesday with the top eight teams progressing to the top flight of matchplay from Wednesday through to Friday. The seven remaining teams play for the minor placings.
Pre-Tournament News
Defending Champions Sweden seek their second successive title when Ireland plays host to the 15 nation European Senior Women’s Team Championship at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September 2009.
France look likely to be Sweden’s strongest challengers for the title with Virgine Burrus and Cecilia Morgue d’Algue hoping to repeat their successful victories of 2006 and 2007. Spain’s Vicky Pertierra and Catalina Castillejo should lead their side to a top four finish while Lorna Bennett and Fiona de Vries join a formidable Scottish line up expecting to make the semi-finals.
Host nation Ireland will be led by Close Champion Marilyn Henderson (Castlerock) while Helen Jones (Strabane), Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) and Sheena McElroy (Grange) are sure to feature regularly during the week.
Competitors will play two rounds of 18 holes strokeplay qualifying over the parkland layout on Monday and Tuesday. The top eight teams then progress to the top flight of matchplay from Wednesday through to Friday, while the remaining seven teams play for the minor placings. The newly designed Dun Laoghaire course is sure to produce very worthy winners on Friday afternoon as a mixture of ladies and gents tees will ensure a challenging test for competitors throughout the week.
With no admission fee, spectators are encouraged to travel and support the Irish team, while taking the opportunity to sample Dun Laoghaire’s excellent facilities both on and off the course.
