This article is from page 49 of the 2005-11-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 49 JPG
ENNIS golfer ‘Tricia Mangan has crossed a major hurdle in her bid to fulfill her dream of play- ing in next year’s Curtis Cup.
The Irish champion and European number nine has been included in the training squad of 16 from which the Brit- ish and Irish team to take on the Americans will be selected.
The Ladies Golfing Union selected the train- ing squad last week and Mangan is one of eight players included who were part of the British and Irish team that won the Vaglano ‘Trophy against Europe in July.
Mangan’s selection comes as no surprise as he had an outstanding year in both individual and team play. She won her first Irish champion- ship in Port Salon, while she led the Irish team in the European Team Championship and _ the Home Internationals.
On the club front, Tri- cia was the inspiration behind Ennis’ march through the All-Ire- land Senior Cup series, when they reached the final only to succumb to championship specialists Royal Portrush.
This impressive run of form throughout the season has put her on the cusp of winning that first Curtis Cup cap against America in Bandon Dunes, Oregon, next July. Other Irish players on the squad are Martina Gillen and Claire Coughlan.
“IT am both delighted and excited to be work- ing with a squad of this strength. It has a fantas- tic blend of successful mature players and new talented youths. The new members will be eager to make their mark thus creating competitiveness amongst the squad,” said captain Ada O’Sullivan.
“The Training Commit- tee has set action packed weekends throughout the winter and spring at spectacular venues, bear-
ing in mind the terrain of the links course at Ban- don Dunes, a truly mag- nificent host venue for the Curtis Cup.
‘The selectors have had a difficult job in keeping the squad to 16, such is the talent in Britain and Ireland, and while it will be tough work for all in- volved, the desire to be in the winning 2006 Curtis Cup team will have just reward,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mangan has also been named on the Irish Ladies Golfing Union panel of players who will attend coach- ing and training over the winter months.
She will attend sessions from November through to February at St Mar- garet’s Golf and Country Club in Dublin. This will be followed by a week of warm weather training at the La Cala Resort in Spain in early March.
Shannon’s Heather No- lan wasn’t available for selection on this panel due to overseas engage- ments.