Future Curtis Cup star Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) said she is determined to win back her crown as she looks to reclaim the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship.

 

The 20-year-old was named on the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team shortly after her 6&4 win over Maebh McLoughlin (County Sligo) on Thursday morning in Roscommon.

 

And the 2022 winner, who lost last year’s final to fellow Curtis Cup player Sara Byrne, is in a good position to reach another decider after a 5&4 win against Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye).

 

Coulter will take on Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) in tomorrow morning’s semi-finals.

 

“Missing that little short putt on the last to go back-to-back was a little bit frustrating. I’m definitely back this year, I’m hoping to get the trophy back,” said Coulter.

 

“Things were a bit rushed yesterday, getting in from the European AM, playing a practise round. Luckily I have Thomas Higgins, a local boy on the bag and we’re great friends so it was really fun out there, just ease into it.

 

“I played pretty good golf, the scores were really good in the stroke play. It’s kind of hard when I didn’t see the golf course and I knew these girls were coming out thick and fast with birdies.”

 

The other semi-final in the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close sees home favourite Olivia Costello (Roscommon) looking to get the better of Canice Screene (Croham Hurst).

 

Screene had a 3&2 victory over Molly O’Hara (Clandeboye) in the Last 16 before a brilliant 4&3 win against reigning Bridgestone Order of Merit champion, Emma Fleming (Elm Park).

 

O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) continued to build the momentum with a comprehensive 7&6 victory over Anna Abom (Edmondstown) to extend her week into a final day showdown with Coulter.

 

But the local Roscommon interest will surround Costello, after she got the better of her good friend and fellow Ireland underage star, Kate Dillon (Oughterard) on a 5&4 scoreline.

 

“It is a great opportunity to get a chance to play in front of people that I have grown up with,” said Costello.

 

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow now, the main thing was getting through to the match play and it was a bit iffy there for a while.

 

“A lot of people say that anything can happen in match play so hopefully, with the crowds and everything, we’ll go again.”

 

Dillon did still pick up the AIG Irish Girls’ Amateur Close Championship for her efforts earlier in the week, while Anna Dawson was knocked out in the Last 16 but she took home the Leitrim Cup following rounds of 65 and 68 that helped her secure leading qualifier on -13.

 

Ellen O’Shaughnessy (County Louth) will face Gemma McMeekin (Royal Portrush) in the first of the AIG Irish Girls’ Amateur Close Plate semi-finals. Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush) will play Jessica Reynolds (County Sligo) in the other final four tie.

 

Aoife Kelly (Galway Bay) will play Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas) in the semi-finals of the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Plate, with Laura Webb (Royal Portrush) taking on Ellen O’Gorman (Laytown & Bettystown).