Charm For the
Irish
Craic&
SARA WHITE REFLECTS ON THE 2013 WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL TEAM CHALLENGE AND A MEMORABLE TRIP LAST AUGUST TO LAHINCH IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.
those from The Nairn in Scotland and host Club, Lahinch. The event was founded in 2010 to
Above: The ladies ready for take off
Below: An Irish piper
accompanied the flag raising
A short hop across the Irish Sea to golfing heaven
IT WAS WITH GREAT anticipation that the team of six ladies from RLGC climbed aboard the small propeller-driven plane waiting on the tarmac at Manchester Airport. It could not have more of a contrast to the swish trans-Atlantic jet which whisked the 2012 Royal Liverpool team to Pennsylvania USA. No, this was a short hop across the
Irish Sea to golfing heaven. Forty minutes from Shannon Airport
in Pete McNamara’s people carrier and we were there in the town of Lahinch on the remote and wild west coast of Ireland. And no jet lag. The team comprised: Mary Gerrard,
Val Howell, Sara White, Jenny Toomey, Libby Lanceley and Sue Graves. We were ready to do battle in the Women’s International Team Challenge against ladies from five of America’s most prestigious golf clubs, together with
40 ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2 014
promote women’s golf on both side of the Atlantic and to foster international friendships. The American Clubs taking part were: Merion, home of the 2013 American Open, Fishers Island, The Olympic Club, Southern Hills and The Country Club. From the Irish Piper and the Flag Raising Ceremony at the start, to the sumptuous prize-giving luncheon at the end, it was an outstanding four days. The ‘craic’ was incredible! We have never packed so much into so few hours. There was barely time to breathe, let alone play three five-hour rounds on one of Ireland’s most challenging links and eat so much delicious locally- sourced food. As for the golf course, mention must
be made of the two feature holes they call Klondike and The Dell. Suffice to say they are two of the quirkiest holes we’d ever encountered. Both have totally blind shots to the green... huge sand-hills in the way... but not to worry! The line is provided by a white stone on each sand- hill which is shifted every day according to pin position. It was a marvellous trip. Our hosts
could not have been more welcoming and helpful. Their hospitality was second to none with lashings of Irish charm to be sure. We left with wonderful memories and counted ourselves so lucky to have had the opportunity to take part! ■
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64