Two golfers from Loughgall Golf Club have achieved a remarkable success after winning the 2026 R&A Coronation Foursomes Grand Final at St Andrews.

Lynne Coote and Lorraine Abbott produced an outstanding performance at the home of golf, recording an impressive 45 Stableford points to claim victory in the prestigious competition by a four-point margin, back in September.

Playing off a combined Handicap Index of 32, the Irish pairing delivered a superb display over the Eden Course, finishing ahead of 15 other regional winning pairs from across Great Britain and Ireland.

The achievement is particularly impressive given the scale of the competition, which attracted more than 18,000 entrants representing over 1,000 golf clubs across the UK and Ireland. Just 16 pairs made it through to compete in the Grand Final.

Coote, who has been playing golf since 2001, and Abbott, who took up the sport in 2006, were understandably delighted with their success.

“I can’t believe we won, I thought we had made too many mistakes to win, it’s very exciting,” said Abbott.

Coote added: “It’s always smashing to come to the home of golf, especially since we come from a municipal course and this is the ultimate municipal course. It’s just so magical to play in St Andrews.”

Their victory has earned them an exciting VIP experience at the 2027 AIG Women’s Open, including a five-day ticket, an invitation to Sunday hospitality, a night’s accommodation, a £150 Peter Millar voucher each and their travel expenses covered.

Looking forward to the experience, Abbott said: “It will be lovely to see how real golfers play.”

Coote, who recently travelled to cheer on Europe at the Solheim Cup, is equally excited about returning to watch the world’s leading female golfers.

“Oh St George’s next year – I just can’t wait to get back to watching all the top women golfers.

“I was at the Solheim Cup last weekend and it was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed the guts of Carlotta Ciganda in the halved four-ball match with Nelly Korda, I can’t wait to see them in action again.”

The pair’s success is all the more special given that this is their second appearance at the Coronation Foursomes Grand Final, having also qualified in 2022.

Abbott believes that previous experience played an important part in their latest achievement.

“This is our second time being Finalists and I think that experience helped a lot. It helped settle the nerves and we knew our way around the course, although the weather is different every time you’re here.”

The partnership also credited their communication and understanding of each other’s game as key factors behind their success.

“We have played together in foursomes and greensomes for a few years and we gel well as a partnership,” added Coote.

“Talking to each other and supporting each other over every shot from the first to the last putt. We discussed the wind direction, how much more or less club we might need. It was a very nice way to play.”

The Coronation Foursomes is a team competition open to women and girls across Great Britain and Ireland, bringing together mothers and daughters, friends and family members. The competition involves club qualifying followed by regional Area Finals, with the winning pair from each progressing to the Grand Final.

Sixteen Area Finals took place during July and August 2026, with Coote and Abbott securing their place by winning the Northern Ireland Regional Final at Moyola Park Golf Club, Castledawson, on July 21. They recorded an excellent 41 points to qualify for St Andrews.

The final standings saw Maureen Anderson and Angela Innes from Keith Golf Club finish runners-up with 41 points, while Helen Dowling and Danielle Lang from Lutterworth Golf Club claimed third place with 39 points.

Away from the golf course, the 32 finalists enjoyed a memorable experience in St Andrews, including a two-night stay at the prestigious five-star Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, a gala dinner and a welcome drinks reception at The R&A World Golf Museum. Reasonable travel expenses were also covered.

For Lynne and Lorraine, however, it was the opportunity to lift the trophy at the home of golf that will undoubtedly live longest in the memory.

Their achievement has also been warmly celebrated back home at Loughgall Golf Club, where members praised the pair for their skill, commitment and determination in reaching the top of a competition involving more than 1,000 clubs.

In a message of congratulations, the club said: “Having successfully progressed through our club competition and regional qualifying stages to reach The St Andrews Golf Club, Scotland, competing against players from more than 1,000 clubs throughout the UK and Ireland, this is a truly remarkable achievement by both ladies.

“To reach the Grand Final of such a prestigious competition is a testament to their skill, commitment and determination, and everyone connected with Loughgall Golf Club can be immensely proud of their success.

“Huge congratulations to Lorraine and Lynne from everyone at Loughgall Golf Club, including our Ladies’, Men’s and Junior Sections. Well done on this fantastic achievement.”

A wonderful achievement for the Loughgall duo – and a trip back to St Andrews that will be remembered for years to come.