Moyola Park Golf Club duo of Josie McGuckin and Kayleigh Mulholland sealed success in St Andrews to win the 2023 Coronation Foursomes.
At the home of golf, the pair from the Northern Irish club triumphed in the popular championship for women and girls’ golfers across Great Britain and Ireland.
McGuckin and 15-year-old Mulholland posted a winning total of 42 Stableford points over the Eden Course for a narrow victory.
Mulholland plays off a Handicap Index of 3.5 and thrived in the tricky conditions, which began with some rain before clearing to blue skies.
“It was a great day,†said Mulholland, who played in the R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship at Enville earlier this year. “Without Josie, I'm not sure where we would be, but we played very well. We stayed clear of any trouble, and we’re absolutely delighted to have won.
“My home club, Moyola, is always nice to play, and to do so with Josie. So, it was just a day out together again playing golf, but we managed to win.
“My dad is a professional, so golf has always been in the family. I’ve been golfing from a very young age. My dad is my coach, so it was nice to have him out watching today, too. He is always supporting and helping me.â€
“It didn't start off too well,†conceded McGuckin. “But as we progressed, we had better scores and the weather got a wee bit better, which added to our success. All in all, it's been a good day for both of us. We are a good team together. I don't think we will be separated now.â€
"We never thought we would get to this stage, nevermind win and get to play in the AIG Women's Open pro-am. So, we are looking forward to 2024 and playing together again.â€
Josie McGuckin
Among the 16 competing pairs, Joyce McGregor and Fiona Mackenzie of Balmore in Scotland finished second with 40 points. Debbie Howarth and Jean Manson of The Alwoodley Golf Club in England finished third on 38 points after card countback (back nine).
As part of their prize, the winners sealed a dream place in the pro-am for the AIG Women’s Open in St Andrews next August.
“There is no better place than St Andrews, so Josie and I will be counting down the days until we can come back for the AIG Women's Open,†Mulholland said with a smile.
McGuckin added: “We are so looking forward to that. We never thought we would get to this stage, nevermind win and get to play in the AIG Women's Open pro-am. So, we are looking forward to 2024 and playing together again.â€
The 32 finalists in St Andrews also enjoyed a two-night stay at the prestigious Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa and a drinks reception at The Niblick Restaurant.
The unique team competition format of the Coronation Foursomes – the largest of its kind in GB&I that attracted entries from more than 20,000 women and girls from 1,000-plus clubs in 2023 – sees club qualifying and area finals each year ahead of a grand final.
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