Shipley member Ireland celebrates her finest moment

The Shipley member has won the Yorkshire Ladies’ Challenge Bowl and the Yorkshire Ladies’ Strokeplay nett title but she said winning the gross crown ahead of schedule surpassed those successes.

The 22-year-old, who has lessons from Keighley pro Andrew Rhodes, beat 14-year-old Cleckheaton member Megan Lockett one up in the closest of finals at Bingley St Ives.

She said: “This definitely comes top of the tree. It is something I have always wanted to win and comes earlier than I expected.”

It was nip and tuck all the way as the players reached the 17th hole all square before Ireland’s par put her one up going down the last.

Nerves understandly came to the fore when both three-putted the last as Ireland, who is off a seven handicap, claimed victory.

She added: “I’ve reached the semi-finals before two or three years ago, so I was really glad to match that. Anything else was a bonus.”

Her mum Lynda, who has reached the nett final previously, saw her triumph and Natalie said: “She told me afterwards it was pretty difficult to watch at times!”

Ireland is already looking forward to defending her crown next year as it is at her club Shipley.

She won 3&2 in the semi-finals against Keighley member Elaine Pearson – who overcame defending champion Helen Butterfield 3&1 in the last eight – with Lockett beating Bingley’s Jayne Helliwell 2&1 to reach the final.

The new title holder was full of praise for her final opponent, who qualified in third place at the recent Welsh Girls’ Championship at Clays near Wrexham.

She said: “Megan played so steady. She got up and down a lot. Her pitching and chipping was amazing.

“I am sure she will definitely win it one day.”

There was still success for the Lockett family as Megan’s sister Jade won the nett trophy, beating Bingley’s Wendy Dufton 2&1 in the final.

It was her second triumph in the nett competition – ironically having beaten her sister Megan in the final two years ago.