Irish Ladies Golf Union Press Release

CANADIAN ALISON MURDOCH LEADS WAY
IN IRISH SENIOR WOMEN'S STROKE-PLAY

Canadian Alison Murdoch, champion in 2004 and 2005, fired an impressive 77 to lead the field at the 2007 Irish Senior Ladies Open Stroke-play championship at Ennis Golf Club today.
Over the challenging parkland terrain, Murdoch carded birdies on six and 14 to turn two over par and sign for a four over par round, three shots ahead of the field.
Second placed Irish Seniors International Eileen MacMullen carded wretched double bogeys on three and four to turn six over and having bogeyed the 10th and 11th, completed the final seven holes in one under par to sign for a gutsy 80 on slick greens.
Next placed Seniors International Marilyn Henderson found the blustery but warm conditions a stern test and completed her round just one stroke further back.
Defending champion Vicki Thomas is well placed to make a move tomorrow following her 85 while the experienced Mary Gorry is lurking menacingly on 83. Seniors International Sheena O’Brien Kenney carded a comfortable 85 while home favourite Valerie Hassett is just one shot further back on 86.
The 87-strong field will play a further 18 holes on Tuesday after which the top 30 players will play the final 18 holes on Wednesday morning for the title.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
77 Alison Murdoch (Can).
80 Eileen MacMullen (Donegal).
81 Marilyn Henderson (Germany).
82 Violet McBride (Belvoir Park).
83 Mary Gorry (Baltinglass).
84 Diane Williams (Can), Jean O'Connor (Wal).
85 Andrea Stockdale (Eng), Claire Ruane (Ennis), Sheena O'Brien-Kenney (Grange), Vicki Thomas (Wal).
86 Olivia Conroy (Co Longford), Valerie Hassett (Ennis).
87 Evelyn Blackmon (US), Margot Trembath (Can), Mary Powell (Nenagh), Sue Joy-Sobota (US).
88 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage), Chris Utermarck (Ger), Emi Yokoyama (Eng).
89 Angela Colm (Can), Catharina Thott (Swe), Eily Duigenan (Edenderry), Mary Madden (Ballinasloe), Pamela Morgan (Lahinch).
90 Irene Stenlundh (Swe), Judy Collins (Can), Julie Barkman (Nenagh), Marianne Copp (Eng), Mary Kavanagh (New Ross).
91 Linda Adair (Callan), Linda Ward (Can), Maj-Britt Laempe (Swe), Rhona Fanagan (Milltown).
92 Della Burns (Ennis), Elaine Lange (Ger), Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel), Roma English (Larne).
93 Anna Moloney (Clonmel), Kay McCartan (Greenore), Marie Moran (Monkstown), Mary Geaney (Killarney).
94 Máire McMahon (Dromoland Castle), Marie Conlon (The Heath).
95 Anne Stewart (Belvoir Park), Anne Vaughan (Lahinch), Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush) Kitty McNicholas (Ennis) Mary McGoey (Greenore), Sheila Bodmer (Swi).
96 Ann Conway (New Ross), Ann Freeman (Co Longford), Ann Hayes (Co Longford), Anna Somers (Cill Dara), Catherine Carty (Tullamore), Christine Deeds (US), Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush) Mary Colton (Ennis) Maura Ryan (Ennis).
97 Clodagh Tayler (Kinsale), Marcella Ridgers (Eng) Mary Keegan (Co Longford), Mary Mather (Cill Dara).
98 Carmel Verling (Ennis), Iet Hagels de Boer (Ned).
99 Josephine Kilmartin (Tipperary), Margaret Lonergan (Thurles), Maria Sandstrom (Swe).
100 Gita Patel (Eng), Rita McNamara (The Heath).
101 Angela Treacy (New Ross), Dinah Campion (The Heath).
102 Anne Crotty (Tipperary), Ingrid Haak (Ger).
104 Breege Horkan (Eng), Joan Buckley (Ballybunion), Kitty McEvoy (Eng).
106 Ann O'Brien (Cahir Park).
107 Bridget O'Brien (Tipperary), Sally Breen (Eng).
109 Marie McGrattan (Ardminnan), Patricia Farrell (Co Longford), Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk).
112 Phil O'Carroll (Cahir Park).
115 Patricia Moloughney (Skibbereen).
116 Jean Quigley Parsons (Eng).
123 Mary McMahon (Ennis).

TEAM EVENT
161 CANADA (West) Alison Murdoch 77 Margot Trembath [87] Diane Williams 84
163 IRELAND B Mary Gorry 83 Eileen MacMullan 80 Sheena O'Brien Kenney [85]
167 IRELAND A Valerie Hassett 86 Marilyn Henderson 81 Mary Madden [89]
169 WALES Jean O'Connor 84 Jean Quigley Parsons [116] Vicki Thomas 85
174 USA Evelyn Blackmon 87 Christine Deeds [96] Sue Joy-Sabota 87
179 CANADA (East) Judy Collins 90 Angela Colm 89 Linda Ward [91]
179 SWEDEN Maria Sandstrom [99] Irene Stendlundh 90Catharina Thott 89
180 GERMANY Ingrid Haak [102] Elaine Lange 92 Chris Utermarck 88
182 ENGLAND B Gita Patel [100] Marcella Ridgers 97 Andrea Stockdale 85
186 EUROPE Sheila Bodmer 95 Iet Hagels de Boer [98] Maj-Britt Laempe 91
192 ENGLAND A Sally Breen [107] Kitty McEvoy 104 Emi Yokoyama 88