Gardner, Hassett and Ni Cheilleachair triumph in Connacht tests
Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye) winner of the Connacht Senior Women's Open 2021, Athlone Golf Club © Golffile | Thos Caffrey
Clandeboye’s Rebekah Gardner claimed a three-stroke win in the 2021 Connacht Senior Open at Athlone.
Starting the day one shot clear of Elm Park’s Emma Fleming, the duo swapped the lead on numerous occasions, but it was the 17th that proved crucial for Gardner’s win.
Going into the hole a shot back, the Clandeboye star parred the par-3, while Fleming carded a six. A birdie on the 18th gave the 16-year-old a three-shot win.
Scores: Connacht Senior Women's & Girls Open
“I’m delighted to get the win. It was a great competition with Emma,” said Gardner, who also won the Senior Girls category from Fleming. “We both played well. I’ve had a good season so far, and it’s nice to get the win.
“It’s great to see where my game is at compared to other women older than me. I’m just delighted to get the win.”
Achill’s Julie Hassett came from five shots back to win the Connacht Junior Open, by two strokes.
Julie Hassett (Achill) winner of the Connacht Senior Women's & Girls Open 2021, Athlone Golf Club. Picture: © Golffile | Thos Caffrey
In an impressive event for the Mayo club, Hassett finished two strokes clear of her clubmate and overnight leader Karen Lyons.
Birdies on the ninth and tenth helped Hassett to a low round of 86, and she was delighted to win the event, after years of trying.
“I’ve been in this event for quite a while now - probably 12 or 13 years if the truth be known, back in the days when it was a Matchplay. It’s a great competition,” Hassett said.
“I finished with a 94 yesterday and shot an 86 today. I knew I would have to come down into the 80s to have a chance. I was lucky too. I had a couple of birdies out of nowhere, but I’m absolutely delighted. I’m over the moon.”
In the Junior Girls category, Tullamore’s Sinead Ni Cheilleachair was a three-stroke winner, ahead of Dun Laoghaire’s Ciara Fraser.