At the tender age of six, Olivia Mehaffey knew she wanted to pursue a future in golf. Alongside her brother Luke, her father Phillip used to bring them down to Tangragee Golf Club where they would compete ferociously to get the better of one another. Most of her golfing as a youth found her competing against the boys at her local neighbourhood club, as a result of very few girls showing up to play at the time.
With golf male-dominated back then, the now 23-year-old professional golfer was often inspired by Rory Mcllroy and Shane Lowry amongst many others growing up. Though finding role models in male golfers, Mehaffey often wondered what would be like if there were females like herself who would had the benefit of seeing other women golfers growing up.
Years later, young girls today have female golfers who they can look up to in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), something that the Down native wished she had growing up.
Speaking on her childhood memories, Mehaffey is desperate for the next generation of girls to be afforded the same opportunities she has received.
Having an environment for girls to play sports is not only fun, but it is fundamental for girls to feel supported and welcomed in the sport. When they see others like themselves playing the sport, it encourages them to pursue their passion. With much admiration and passion for golf, Mehaffey finds much pleasure in golfing as a career which has kept her happy through the years, and advises others to find a career that makes them happy. “To have a career to be something you love so much, I think it’s so exciting.”
‘You Feel That You Have To Be Perfect In Everything Because You’re Being Judged In Every Area’
Professional golfer Olivia Mehaffey speaks on body image, the growing platform for women in golf, and advise she'd give to aspiring golfers.
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