Irish women’s golf has gone through many ups and downs over the years but there has nearly always been a big star to keep things ticking over from a Philomena Garvey or Clarrie Reddan to a Mary McKenna or a Maureen Madill.

Olivia Mehaffey might have failed 5 and 4 to Sweden's Linnea Strom in the semi-finals of the Ladies' British Amateur Open but the Royal County Down Ladies star will overcome her disappointment to focus on finishing a stellar season as strongly as possible.

The success of Royal County Down Ladies' Olivia Mehaffey in reaching the morning semi-finals should ensure a full turn out from her "ain folk" as she bids to follow in the footsteps of the 2012 champion from Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, Stephanie Meadow, writes the LGU.

Like the 46A bus to Dun Laoghaire, which would take an age to come and then arrive with another stuck to its exhaust pipe, there are signs that things are about to start moving apace in Irish golf.

Lisburn's Paula Grant might have rued three late bogeys but closing rounds of 72 and 76 gave her an excellent sixth place finish in the Ladies' British Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Ashburnham.

Irish interest in the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship ended after the first day of matchplay combat at Royal St Georges Golf Club.

Casteltroy's Chloe Ryan and Royal County Down Ladies' Olivia Mehaffey made Thursday's matchplay stages of the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at Royal St George's.