Mayo golfer scoops All-Ireland bronze medal title in magnificent style

Castlebar's Antoinette Starken has captured the All-Ireland Women’s Bronze Medal title at Headfort Golf Club in Co. Meath.

She emerged victorious from a field of 77 on the old course with a five under par score of 68.

That placed her one shot ahead of Jean Beatty (Loughrea), Jess Shiels (Rathcore) and Elaine Healy (Kilmashogue) in joint second place.

As one of the earlier starters Starken was quick to set the pace, carding two net eagles and three net birdies across her opening nine holes.

Three more net birdies would follow on the back nine and despite a closing eight on the Par 4 18th, she would sign for a -5 net 68, setting a high bar for the others to reach.

She told Golf Ireland: “It was great, I really, really enjoyed it. I played with two lovely ladies Rita and Joan, and I have to thank my sister for doing the bag for me, she’s actually a member at Headfort so that little bit of inside knowledge probably helped me.

"She kept me very relaxed. I had a great front nine and a little bit wobbly on the back nine coming to the end but I’m delighted with my golf. I’m absolutely thrilled.

“I have been loving my golf this year. I changed my grip, got a few lessons, kept it going and I could see it coming, which it did at the perfect time for me."

In the Silver Medal final, it seemed the title would be decided on a countback as Maureen Keane (Westport), Betty Scanlon (Tubbercurry) and Susanne Cummings (Stackstown) shared the lead early on with all three carding net level par 72s.

However a surge by Louise Noble (Greenisland) saw snatch victory, five net birdies across a brilliant back nine helping her to a net -2 round of 70 and a two-shot victory.

Said Noble: “That’s the best I have ever played to be honest, after the first few holes I thought no hope to be honest, just picked it up, and a couple of pars brought me back. Nobody really knows where Greenisland is from so I’m happy to do the club proud.”