PRESSURE? What pressure? Suzanne Fanagan, refreshed by a stint with the national squad in Portugal, has adopted a positive approach to her defence of the Leinster Women's Championship, sponsored by Macgregor, which starts with 36 holes stroke play qualifying at Seapoint Golf Club today.
Fanagan, who claimed the Josephine Connolly Memorial Salver as leading qualifier last year and then went on to beat Sheena O'Brien Kenney in the final of the matchplay stages, has set herself a series of targets for the season.
I've no really big plans, just small targets. I'd like to do well in Leinster, see how the Irish championship goes and retain my place on the Irish team. I also intend to travel over to a couple of the bigger events in Britain, which is a good way to improve your game," she said. Indeed, this is a big year with the European Championships in Finland in July and, then, Lahinch hosting the Home Internationals in September.
The Milltown golfer has already won at Seapoint this season (in the Leinster Ladies Alliance) but has spent some time working on her short game in the build up to the defence of her title. The week in Portugal earlier this month with Howard Bennett (national coach) was fantastic. It helped to sharpen up my game, although I'm still a little worried about my iron play, I'll just have to see how it goes.
Fanagan, though, faces a tough examination. Among her main rivals are fellow national panelists Hazel Kavanagh, recent winner of the Royal Co Downs Scratch Cup. It's great to see Hazel back in good form, she'll be a huge addition to the Irish team," said Fanagan Yvonne Cassidy, Sinead Keane, Elaine Dowdall and Alison Coffey.
Coffey, who made an impressive Home Internationals debut season, is part of a small Northern invasion into the open event. Royal Co Down pair Emma Dickson and Joanna Campbell are also competing. However, notable absentees from the championship are Mary McKenna, due to business commitments, Lilian Behan and the highly rated Paula Gorman, the Ulster inter provincial who nowadays plays out of Elm Park. Gorman confirmed her new status by winning the Cork Scratch Cup at Little Island on Sunday.
