By Daragh Small - Photo credits: Golffile
Eddie McCormack (IRL) dedicated his European Senior Men’s Championship win to his father, Teddy, after a sensational two-shot win at Douglas Golf Club.
The Cavan native, who plays out of Galway Bay Golf Club, kept his cool down the home stretch to hold off the challenge of Alan Condren (IRL) and, overnight leader, Jody Fanagan (IRL) to register -6, in an Ireland dominated leaderboard.
Alison Taylor’s (IRL) win in the European Senior Ladies’ Championship was equally as impressive as she eagled the last before realising she had claimed the title. Taylor ended up just one shot clear of Charlotte Ödman (SWE) and Sylvie Clausset (BEL).
And for McCormack it was an emotional moment as he thought of his father who is in hospital in Dublin.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I just wanted to come here and play well,” said McCormack.
“My father is 91, he fractured his hip the other night. I had that in the back of mind today, just got out there and give him a bit of good news, give him a bit of a boost.
“I was just going out today to do it for Teddy. I was going out to try my best, it’s all you can do.
“I didn’t actually know how I was going until I was over for the chip on the last hole. I asked one of the guys as I was going down to the green, what’s the state of play at the minute, he said you are one ahead.
“I just said, try and get up and down here, close it out and be done with it.”
Irish Senior Men’s Amateur winner Tom Etridge (England) made the most of the favourable conditions on Saturday morning as he shot up the leaderboard thanks to a 64 (-7), for a +3 total.
Alan Condren (IRL) and Jody Fanagan (IRL) both made challenges during the final round, but would have to settle for silver and bronze medals respectively.
The finish in the Ladies’ event was even more dramatic with Taylor sinking three birdie putts on the back nine, and despite a bogey on 17, she made eagle on the final hole to claim an unlikely success.
“I had no expectations because in August 2020 I had a very serious mountain bike accident, I had a shoulder reconstruction and they told me I might never play golf again,” said Taylor.
“I just wanted to try and play well. I wore my red shirt for Munster to honour Douglas. For an Irish woman to win this is fantastic when it is located here.
“But it was so nip and tuck. I didn’t play great on the front nine and then I just got a few birdies on the back. And to finish it off with an eagle, I didn’t think that would score anything.
“I thought the two girls were duelling it out for winning so it was a complete surprise but wow, what a surprise.
“I didn’t have a caddie or anything out there and I was just going about my business and just saying it’s another round of golf, sometimes you play well and sometimes you don’t.
“Today somebody up there was looking after me. When I needed it, it came through for me. Absolute dream for my career.”
Sweden's Charlotte Ödman goes home with a silver medal, finishing one shot back on -1, while Sylvie Clausset (BEL) earned the bronze with the same score.
The full results can be found here: https://www.ega-golf.ch/livescoring#/competition/4044787/results/3783637