Finland’s Minna Kaarnalahti will attempt to claim back-to-back victories at the Irish Senior Women’s Open Strokeplay when competitors from all over the world tee up at Rosslare on Wednesday 9 September.

Finland’s Minna Kaarnalahti will attempt to claim back-to-back victories at the Irish Senior Women’s Open Strokeplay when competitors tee up at Rosslare on Wednesday 9 September.

In last year’s Championship at Dundalk, Kaarnalahti defeated defending champion Gertie McMullen on the sixth tie hole to win her third title in four years after both finished on five over par in blustery conditions. She happily claimed her hat-trick adding her 2014 title to those secured at Greenore in 2011 and Royal Belfast in 2012.

With a host of Ireland’s Senior Internationals in action, the strong field also sees players travelling from Canada, England, Finland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Switzerland and the USA. The strongest challenge to Kaarnalahti’s title defence is likely to come from 2013 Champion Gertie McMullen (The Island) who was crowned Irish Seniors’ Close Champion earlier in July or indeed Laura Webb (Cairndhu) who won the Seniors’ Close in 2014.

With Ireland defending the Nations Cup, this year’s tournament will be as competitive as ever with the majority of the overseas field availing of additional practice for the British Seniors Open at Prestatyn in Wales the following week.

Two 18 hole strokeplay rounds on Wednesday and Thursday will see the field cut to the top forty for the final round on Friday. With over half of the field hailing from Ireland, they will be keen to impress the Irish Selectors ahead of next week’s announcement of the National team to contest the Senior Home Internationals on home soil at Elm Park at the end of the month.

With complimentary entry and car parking for spectators, visitors to Rosslare are most welcome.