LURGAN’S Annabel Wilson, representing Castlerock Golf Club, is the new Ulster Women’s Amateur Strokeplay Open Champion.
Annabel had to overcome difficult conditions in heavy rain at host club Clandeboye as well as the challenge from over 20 of of Ireland’s best amateur women golfers.
With rain forecast for the second and final day’s play, it was decided a shotgun start would get the final round underway with Annabel setting out with a two-shot overnight lead.
Annabel, who came into the final round off the back of two under-par rounds of 71 looked solid in the early going, level par for her front nine. It was on the back nine, though, where she really shone, carding five birdies across the closing stretch signing for a final round 68.
A nine under total for the tournament enough to hand the Castlerock golfer a nine-shot win over local Clandeboye hopeful Rebekah Gardner.
“We were thrown everything weatherwise, I felt like the first six holes was very much just find the fairway, find the green and two-putt,” said Annabel.
“I was open to all challenges thrown at me and then the clouds parted and it was nice and from there on in I felt like I was playing well enough to give myself plenty of chances for birdies and a couple of them dropped on the way in and I just kept that momentum, kept the foot down on the pedal. It was certainly a rollercoaster day when we were thrown everything.
“It feels good, I need a wee minute to sit down and take it all in but I’m delighted overall.”
Adam Buchanan of Royal Portrush took the men’s title after a three-way sudden death play-off.
