By Valerie Clancy
Aideen Walsh is searching for success as she hopes to claim her first Mid-Am title at Portsalon Golf Club this week.
The final Women’s Bridgestone Order of Merit event will take place at the Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s Open Championship from 6-8 October.
Portsalon welcomes 114 men and women who will battle it out over 36 holes on the first two days of the Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s and Women’s Open Championship. Players who make the 36-hole cut will play an additional 18 holes on the third day where the two champions will be crowned.
The 25-year-old golfer has taken up new opportunities since becoming eligible for Mid-Am golf, and a recent strong performance at the US Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship where Walsh made it to the last 16 will give her confidence heading into the event.
“I was very happy with how I played at the US Mid-Am and I’m practicing away in Lahinch so I’m looking forward to it. I would say the US Mid-Am was probably one of the most enjoyable events I've ever played in. The USGA are just next level, from the minute you arrive there every day, everything is done so professionally it's unbelievable.”
“The future is looking bright for Mid-Am Golf as the EGA recently announced they will be hosting a European Mid-Amateur Team championship starting next year in France.”
The Lahinch golfer who works as a primary school teacher in Clare has had to learn how to balance working life while still playing competitive golf at a top level. A recent top-25 finish at the English Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay championship followed by an opportunity to compete in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open in her home county has given Walsh great experience over the summer that she will look to bring to Donegal this weekend.
“Mid-Am golf is really competitive. Everybody obviously works so it's nice to talk to people about working. I'm obviously very used to playing with people that are in school still but it's nice playing with people that are at the same stage in life but are still very competitive, but they have a life outside golf as well.”
“I'm back to working full time which I haven't done in a while, so it is busy. It's very busy but I only went back last week because I was playing tournaments up until last week, so I just finished my first two weeks. You would be tired afterwards, the kids, they're busy”
Recently crowned Bridgestone Order of Merit Men’s champion David Shiel will hope to claim his first win of the season in the men’s event as he tees it up beside his Carton House teammate Keith Egan and Rosslare’s Ian Lynch. Walsh will tee off at 9.10am alongside Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) and Julie O’Gara (Grange) as she looks forward to the challenge over the coming days.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m a big advocate for the 54-hole championships so I’m looking forward to it. I'd say the weather mightn't be great in Portsalon but I'm used to it in Lahinch. I've never played there but it looks nice”.
