A field of 155 descended on the leafy County Meath venue with 78 battling for the Silver Medal on the demanding Championship Course while 77 competed for Bronze on the much-loved Old Course.
A countback looked to be on the cards in the All-Ireland Silver Medal event as Westport’s Maureen Keane, Tubbercurry’s Betty Scanlon, and Stackstown’s Susanne Cummings carded net scores of level par 72 in lovely autumnal weather to share the lead.
But they had to settle for second best to Noble, who made five net birdies in a two-under 70 to claim the Silver Medal by two strokes.
“I was sitting waiting on the last few people coming in and I just refreshed the score and saw it and started crying,” said the 17-handicapper after one of the most memorable days of her golfing life.
“It’s the biggest thing I have ever done.
“I wasn’t even expecting to make it to the area final, I just got a message one day and I was there, and I am here now, big massive shock.”
Louise had a three and seven fours, including five in a row from the ninth, in her round of 87 and was understandably chuffed.
“That’s the best I have ever played, to be honest. After the first few holes, I thought there was no hope, to be honest, just picked it up, and a couple of pars brought me back,” she said.
Antoinette Starken (Castlebar) winner of the Bronze Medal in Headfort Golf Club.
Photo: Fran Caffrey/Golffile.
“Nobody really knows where Greenisland is from so I’m happy to do the club proud.”
It was an even tighter affair in the Bronze Medal final and early starter Starken was quick to set the pace, carding two net eagles and three net birdies in her opening nine holes, playing off 28.
Loughrea’s Jane Beatty, Rathcore’s Jess Shiels and Kilmashogue’s Elaine Healy all carded net rounds of 69 but in the end finished a shot behind the new champion.
“It was great, I really, really enjoyed it,” Antoinette said. “I played with two lovely ladies, Rita and Joan, and I have to thank my sister for doing the bag for me. She’s actually a member here of Headfort, so that little bit of inside knowledge probably helped me.
“She kept me very relaxed. I had a great front nine and a little bit wobbly on the back nine coming to the end but I’m delighted with my golf today, I’m absolutely thrilled.
“I have been loving my golf this year. I changed my grip, got a few lessons, kept it going, and I could see it coming, and today is just the tip of the iceberg to get to it, and it was the right time. Everything seemed to go into place today, and I am thrilled, delighted.”
All Ireland Women’s Bronze Medal Final, Headfort Old
1, Antoinette Starken (28) Castlebar 68;
2, Jane Beatty (24) Loughrea 69;
3, Jess Shiels (20) Rathcore 69;
4, Elaine Healy (28) Kilmashogue 69;
5, Hannah-Grace Scott (26) Clandeboye 70;
6, Anne Marie Connolly (23) Adare Manor 71;
7, Julie Keegan (34) Ballinamore 73;
8, Kathy Caldwell (39) Greenisland 73;
9, Jane Harvey (26) Ballyclare 74;
10, Tanya Cathcart (38) Enniskillen 75;
11, Briege Loughrey (23) Ballycastle 75;
12, Donna Hannelly (33) Castlerea 75;
13, Marie O’Flynn (23) Clontarf 75.
All-Ireland Women’s Silver Medal Final, Headfort Championship
1, Louise Noble (17) Greenisland 70;
2, Maureen Keane (10) Westport 72;
3, Betty Scanlon (19) Tubbercurry 72;
4, Susanne Cummings (15) Stackstown 72;
5, Louise Mahoney (11) Abbeyleix 74;
6, Joanne Kinsella (9) Skerries 74;
7, Bobbi Holohan (17) Clonmel 74;
8, Sharon Cosgrove (20) Castleknock 75;
T9, Sarah Donnellan (5) Courtown 75, Tara Keane (20) Beech Park 75, Grainne Thurston (15) Slieve Russell 75.
