Roscommon golfer part of Irish team looking to make history
Thomas Higgins is part of the Irish team hoping to win the European Amateur Team Championship in Estonia on Saturday. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
A County Roscommon golfer will be part of the Irish team searching for their first European Amateur Team Championship title since 2008 when they face hosts Estonia on Saturday.
Thomas Higgins from Roscommon Golf Club played a major role on the team that secured an outstanding 4-3 win against reigning champions Italy at Estonian Golf and Country Club on Friday.
Previous Irish teams have included Shane Lowry who was one of the stars of the Irish side that won in Turin 18 years ago, while Rory McIlroy was also part of the winning side the previous year.
Higgins and Gavin Tiernan (County Louth) teamed up for a crucial 1 up win over Giovanni Binaghi and Michele Ferrero on Friday morning.
In the singles — a week before he takes on The Open at Royal Birkdale — amateur champion Stuart Grehan (County Louth) secured a brilliant 4 & 3 win. That was quickly backed up by Tiernan (2 & 1) before Higgins fell short in his match.
Ireland required just one more point and it was former US Mid-Amateur Champion, Matt McClean (Malone), who provided the winning score. He beat Binaghi on tie holes to seal a place in Saturday’s final.
“That experience going down the last especially, Giovanni stood up and hit one into trouble first. It’s a difficult tee shot and Matt had to stand up and hit his shot. He stood up to the pressure,” said Ireland Captain Damien Coyne.
“We’re delighted, we were looking good for a while and then at the end it looked like it could go either way. It was nice to get one when we lost two matches on tie holes last year in Killarney. It was nice to come out on the right side.
“This is a huge challenge (against Estonia). A few of them are members of the course we are playing on. They are really good players playing on a course they are very familiar with. We will have it all to do,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Ireland will look to rescue seventh place from the European Ladies’ Team Championship when they tee up against Italy on Saturday morning.
It was a tough day for Gillian O’Leary’s team as they came out on the wrong side of a 4-1 scoreline against Sweden in Slieve Russell, despite County Roscommon golfer, Olivia Costello, teaming up with Jessica Ross (Clandeboye) for a resounding 5 & 4 victory in the opening foursomes match.
