DOWN THROUGH THE years, there have been leading lights who have kept the fire burning. Clarrie Reddan and Mary McKenna MBE led the way for so long. Then it was Maureen Madill, playing professionally on the Ladies European Tour.
Luminaries in their own right, each having carved out their own golfing legacy – but Irish golf is still awaiting its first female superstar. The Maguire twins have shouldered that burden since their early teenage years. Stephanie Meadow, likewise, is making great strides on the professional circuit.
But perhaps Olivia Mehaffey is the next big thing. Promise, of course, is an extremely dangerous word but the 18-year-old has bundles of it. Already her CV is furnished with the Scottish Ladies and Welsh Ladies amateur titles as well as three consecutive Irish Girls’ Open wins.
If she’s in it, she normally wins it. A staggering 16-shot victory at the prestigious BMW Junior Championship was one of the biggest winning margins in the competition’s history.
It capped a stellar year for the Banbridge-born golfer. After sealing the LGU Order of Merit crown, Mehaffey also earned a place at next season’s British Open and she now finds herself in 12th position in the amateur world rankings.
She also has three other top-five finishes, with a third-place finish at the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship to her name.
But she remains commendably pragmatic. It would be easy to get swept away in the tide of expectation yet Mehaffey is focused on finishing school and climbing the ladder steadily.
“It’s been a great year and I’ve really enjoyed it,” she tells The42. “I’ve played more tournaments away from home and that’s important not only to get used to playing on different courses and conditions but also getting used to life on tour.
“It’s something I always wanted to do so I just love every second if it.”
Golf has always been part of, if not, her life. Introduced to the game by her father, Philip, Mehaffey showed an instant flair at the famed Royal County Down.
It became a social outlet as she grew older and it soon became apparent that golf had the potential to be much more than a past time.
Along with her four coaches and personal trainer, Mehaffey has taken her game to the next level and is reaping the rewards of an intense daily programme.
A typical day involves a putting session, school at Newry College, a visit to the gym, a round of golf or a range session and then there’s just enough time to squeeze in homework.
“It can be tough,” she says of the demands. “But I’ve always worked hard and been determined. I’m hitting the ball further and better than I ever have and that’s down to gym and work on the range.
“Before I actually tried to do too much, like playing loads of tournaments, but now I try and manage my workload the best I can and it’s obviously worked.”
Mehaffey’s work ethic has put her in good stead and the plan is to follow in the footsteps of Graeme McDowell and Paul Dunne by heading Stateside to take up a scholarship.
Arizona State University is her preferred choice and she will head to America next September infused with the knowledge that she has all the attributes to make the next step.
Last month, Arizona State women’s golf and head coach Missy Farr-Kaye officially anounced Mehaffey as part of the college’s playing roster for 2016.
“We are thrilled to have Olivia join our team in 2016 and couldn’t be happier that she’s going to be a Sun Devil,” Farr-Kaye said. “I expect her to come in and contribute to our already young talented group of women. We can’t wait for her to get here.”
Four years will be spent combining top-level education and golf and the plan is to then follow in the footsteps of Meadow, who herself spent much of her teenager years in America.
“I’m extremely confident but that comes from performances too,” she explains. “I want to turn up at tournaments and the others saying ‘Oh Olivia Mehaffey is playing’.
“And it’s not to be vain or cocky but I want to be known for winning and producing in the big moments.”
In September, Mehaffey starred for Europe in the Junior Solheim Cup, although the United States team retained their trophy in Germany. But her imposing performance was another reminder of the teenager’s credentials on the world stage.
The ultimate ambition is to join Meadow on the LPGA tour and fly the Irish flag around the world – but that will come in time. For now, the focus is on the day-to-day commitments which come with trying to become one of the best in the world.
Between now and January, Mehaffey will spend Christmas at home, continue to work hard on her game and use any additional time to catch-up on her studies.
Then, a few weeks warm-weather training in Spain await before a return to Portugal for the amateur open.
She’ll do well to replicate the success of 2015 next year but Mehaffey is well positioned to push on and challenge for further honours.
If the last twelve months have demonstrated anything, it’s that Irish golf is in particularly rude health – and, most encouragingly, the future is extremely bright.
The Confederation of Golf in Ireland has partnered with Olivia Mehaffey to get people to visit their local golf course with the ‘Get into golf’ programme, aimed at giving men, women and children of all ages their first taste of golf. For more information check out – www.cgigolf.org
