SUZANNE FANAGAN won her first championship at Co Louth Golf Club yesterday when she beat Sheena O'Brien-Kenny 5 and 3 in the finals of the Leinster championships. The calibre of Fanagan's play was such that she was one under par for the 15 windy holes played.
With wins at the second and fourth holes, Fanagan laid the groundwork for her victory. However, she lost the seventh, which cut her lead to one. A blocked shot to the right by O'Brien Kenny on the 10th enabled Fanagan to re establish a strong lead.
The first birdie of the day came at the 12th which was quickly followed by another on the 13th, extending Fanagan's lead to four up. All she had to do then was close the match.
With a three iron to the centre of the green at the horrid par three 15th, Fanagan claimed her first of surely many championships. It must have been especially sweet for her as her brother, Walker Cup player, Jody Fanagan, has yet to win a major championship at Co Louth.
"Having a local caddy made all the difference," said Fanagan of her week's golf. It may have been as she only beat her semi final opponent, Alison Coffey, one up in the morning (both players were one under par). Nonetheless Fanagan played solid, consistent golf throughout the championship.
She was leading qualifier and was two under par for the 33 holes played yesterday.
O'Brien Kenny is now in the unenviable position of having lost two championship finals in the last 11 months, she was beaten by Eileen Rose Power in the final of the Irish championship in Coffik last May.
It is 10 years since O'Brien Kenny last played for Ireland. Her golf rejuvenation has come about mainly due to a three year career break from her job.
"I never lost the golfing bug, I just didn't have the time to practice while in the bank.
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