Wickham looking forward to Amateur Open

“There’s at least a dozen players I could name that are in contention for this week,” said Layton and Bettystown golfer Carol Wickham.

The Irish Senior Women’s Close champion expressed that view ahead of the Irish Senior Women's Amateur Open, which begins in Naas Golf Club on Wednesday morning.

Over 50 players will compete in the three-day event, which includes entries from England and Finland, along with the cream of Irish senior golfers.

“There is a good group of competitive players in the Seniors. I mentioned I could name a dozen players that can contend, but that doesn’t even include the overseas players that will be coming to play too.”

Wickham was part of the Irish team that competed in the Senior Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals last week, with Suzanne Corcoran, Gail Linter and Gertie McMullen.

Despite being teammates in Woodhall Spa only days ago, the quartet will be among those looking to lift the title on Friday evening.

“There has been a great camaraderie with this group of players in the last number of years. Everyone is used to competing against each other.”

The Laytown and Bettystown golfer has admitted adding the Open title to the Close title won last month has not even entered her head, ahead of the challenge in Naas.

“I’m going to compete, and see how well I can do. My thought process is focused on the Strokeplay and playing well. If anything was to come out of that - then great!”

The 54-hole event begins on Wednesday morning, with the winner being crowned on Friday at the Kildare venue.