The trophy lifts get higher for Glenda Hoey as she hit the treble of Ladies Senior Strokeplays in a beautiful Cunnigar Pitch And Putt Club at the All-Ireland Finals.
The run began in a former home in RGSC as she played superbly to hold off the legendary Ger Ward as she took the Dublin Strokeplay title.
In the searing heat of Killineer, Glenda came from behind with a masterclass of solid play, determination and a touch of brilliance to take the Leinster crown.
Then came Sunday along the east coast of Waterford on the Dungarvan links in Cunnigar. The lead changed hands many times throughout the day but in the 2nd last group, the action was really happening on the back 9. Eleanor Walsh of Fermoy and Lucans Glenda, were nip and tuck as they both chased the leading duo of Chrissie Sheedy & Tracey Smith.
As Chrissie dropped behind at the tough 14th, the duo in front were hitting the 16th. Eleanor now one ahead. A good looking pitch just hung in the breeze and in unfortunate circumstances found its way to a near impossible spot under the lip of the bunker. Eleanor tried to escape but just couldn’t get it out of the trap and would lip out her chip for bogey and it was up to Glenda to hold on.
Glenda expertly got up & down on the 16th and 17th from just off either green and before we knew it, had one hand on the trophy. Amy Galvin as expected, showed her class with a superb final hole birdie taking the clubhouse lead with Glenda now knowing a par would be enough to lift the trophy.
A superb pitch was safely dispatched by Glenda to the tough 18th, clear of the treacherous water to the left and to 10ft just behind the pin. She once again showed class, poise and calmness in the toughest of moments of someone who was growing in confidence the more she finds herself in these positions.
She rolled up and tapped in to take her 3rd crown in as many months completing a historic treble for herself and became the first lady since the 1980s to take the Irish title back to the Lucan club.
A superb treble and huge congratulations to Glenda Hoey 👏🏻
Other finalists in the finals included Tracey Smith who was just outside the top 3 in 5th spot while Ger Ward & Louise Grace both made the playoffs.
In the Intermediate Ladies, Ciara Lowe took the title for the Deerpark club in Killarney, with Dublins Susan Ritchie, Irene Reid and Patricia McLoughlin all making the playoffs but unable to trouble the leaders.
The Junior Ladies went the way of the hosts with Michelle O’Connell walking away convincingly with the title, Glenvilles Anne Flynn made the final round but again was too far back to challenge the leaders.
Congratulations to all the winners and the Cunnigar club on a simply outstanding course and tournament run by the NEC.