Byrne beats the elements

Galway Bay Golf and Country Club proved a very demanding taskmaster for the 30 ladies that competed in the final of the Irish Times/Mitsubishi Motors Ladies Masters. Strong winds blew in from the bay and buffeted the competitors unmercifully. It is to their credit and resilience that they managed to cobble together some very fine rounds.

Victory and a beautiful Waterford Crystal trophy went to Margaret Byrne from the Curragh. Playing off a 14 handicap she returned an excellent 35 points, one clear of Geraldine Cunningham (East Cork) and two ahead of Oonagh Prendergast (Carlow).

But arguably the most remarkable story of the day was that of Ann O'Mahony. To qualify for the final was a tremendous achievement but to capture the best gross prize (28 points) when just a week away from the due date for the delivery of her baby is nothing short of astonishing. The 14 handicapper from Ballyclough generated the biggest cheer of the night.

Eileen O'Neill had led the qualifiers for last Thursday's final with a superb 37 points at Glasson - she had qualified for the semi-final with 44 - but the former Irish ladies darts international could make no headway in demanding conditions. An excellent soccer player in her day - she played for Cork Celtic and had trials for the national side - she just could not sustain her excellent form going into the competition.

Byrne capped a remarkable season by claiming the Irish Times/Mitsubishi Motors Masters title. Earlier she won the President's prize at the Curragh by a wide margin and was runner-up in the captain's prize. Her handicap has tumbled from 31 to 14 in no time, a stunning achievement for this fledgling golfer.

The former camogie player has made a seamless conversion to golf, undoubtedly helped considerably by her pitch and putt skills. A former national juvenile champion, she captained Kildare to a national title. "Certainly the pitch and putt has been very useful since I started to play golf. I have great confidence around the greens." Byrne's progress to the ninth was reasonably modest, turning with 16 points, but it was the journey home that was to guarantee success. She played the first four holes on the back nine in two over par, negotiating the homeward journey in six over the card for an excellent 19 points and a total of 35. "At no stage was I really conscious of winning.

"I knew that I was going pretty well but didn't dwell on the fact. I didn't really notice the round going and that was down to the fun that I had with playing partners, Sile and Rita. I am thrilled to win."

Second placed Geraldine Cunningham's round was underpinned by a fine front nine that included a birdie three at the 292 metre, par four, fifth.

"I chipped in from the bunker. I caught the ball perfectly and it pitched past the hole and spun back in," She said.