Resilient Webb earns semi-final showdown with Hackett

THE INTRIGUE continues, unabated. Laura Webb who is expecting her second child in three months time is not unique in playing competitive golf so late in to her pregnancy, but it is exceptionally rare for a woman in her condition to reach the semi-final stages of a national championship.

Yet, such was the case in the Lancome sponsored Irish Women's Close at dry, but chilly Tramore yesterday where Webb, winner of the title when the event was last staged here in 1988, learned a one hole quarter final win over Leitrim Cup winner Ada O'Sullivan, the leading qualifier. She meets former international Barbara Hackett in today's semi final showdown.

And, in a championship crammed with incident, amateur golfers `prodigal daughter' Lillian Behan, playing in the event for the first time since her reinstatement from the professional ranks, also progressed to the semi-final stage where she encounters another Curtis Cup player Eileen Rose Power, the defending champion.

I though, intrigued many observers over the tough park land terrain yesterday, firstly edging out Munster champion Eavan Higgins at the 19th hole (with a birdie three) in the second round and then securing an 18th hole success over O'Sullivan in the afternoon quarter-final.

"I'll probably need a few lessons after all this," joked Webb. "Subconsciously I am altering my swing to allow for the fact I am pregnant however, I don't feel particularly tired. My husband Peter is pulling the trolley, so I just concentrate on shots and l am enjoying my golf."

Given that the mothers of Greg Norman, Paul Azinger and Davis Love III all played competitive golf late in to their pregnancies, perhaps amniotic golf instruction bears some study. Webb, indeed, played golf as late as being eight months pregnant with her first child Gavin almost three years ago.

"It never even crossed my mind not to play here this week," said Webb, who forced out a one hole win over Monkstown's O'Sullivan, struck yet again by the quarter-final hoodoo. The Irish international has never managed to reach the last four since her championship debut in 1982.

Webb, indeed, showed her resilience yesterday when coming from two down after 12 to pip O'Sullivan. The Cairndhu player reduced the deficit at the 13th where O'Sullivan three putted and levelled matters at the 16th, after her opponent found a greenside trap.

Thirty three year old Webb then went ahead at the 17th after O'Sullivan's tee shot finished behind a tree and, although the Cork girl manufactured a superb recovery, she subsequently failed to get up and down from just short of the green. O'Sullivan, incidentally, had earlier ended the dream run of 15 year old school girl Pamela Murphy.

Semi-final opponent Hackett is becoming accustomed to meeting expectant mothers in this championship. Yesterday, the big hitter from Castletroy stopped the march of Carol Wickham, who is almost four months pregnant. Hackett used her length, particularly on the par fives, to good effect in claiming a three and two win over the 1989 finalist.

Hackett took control of the match with winning birdies at the seventh and eighth holes and parred the ninth to go three up and, although losing the short 15th where Wickham very nearly boled out with a six iron tee shot, the Limerick player got up and down from a greenside bunker at the 16th to close out the match.

Power, a member of the British and Irish Curtis Cup team which won in the United States two years ago, but only reserve for next month's event in Killarney, continues to prove a point to the selectors with her impressive form here. The Skibbereen native was again in control early on and beat fellow international Alison Coffey, of Warrenpoint, by a tw6 and one margin in the quarterfinal.

She was two up after nine holes but lost the tenth when finding sand off the tee however, Power salvaged a great half at the 12th with a sand save and birdied the 15th hitting a six iron in to 12 feet to restore her two hole advantage.

In the Midlands District Senior Cup final at Rosslare last week, Power earned a one hole win over former professional Behan in their one and only encounter. But a familiar trend is setting in already since Behan's return to the amateur stage she graced ten years ago. And today's head to head in the semi final promises to add further intrigue to the championship.

Behan powered her way to a five and four win over Leinster champion Susie Fanagan, inflicting most damage around the turn where she won the seventh, ninth, 10th and 11th holes to move five clear. "I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself before the championship by aiming too high, but I am really enjoying the competition. I'm feeling really relaxed and playing well. I think I have learned lessons from my professional days," she said.

The 32 year old Curragh golfer's only previous Irish Close was at Waterville in 1985 when she reached the quarter finals. She has already bettered that and her ambition now is to add the national crown to the British women s title she took in 1986.

Meanwhile, the Ita Wallace Trophy was yesterday claimed by Miriam Abernethy of Grange who beat Darn McGowan by one hole in the final.