Positive experiences all round for Walsh who ends her season in Slovenia

Ronan MacNamara
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Aideen Walsh (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ronan MacNamara

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It’s been a season of learning and exploring for Lahinch’s Aideen Walsh who approaches the conclusion of another season of elite amateur golf that included a packed international schedule for the first time as she took her game to the next level. 

Walsh who balances a packed playing calendar with a Primary School teaching job in Ennis has enjoyed another season of success both individually and as part of the Lahinch and Irish teams. 

The Lahinch native successfully defended her Ulster Strokeplay title in Portrush while she also took in the Women’s Amateur Championship as well as events in Scotland, France, Spain and Portugal. Walsh feels the experience has been beneficial and she learned a lot about her game and what she needs to develop and improve ahead of a similar schedule in 2023. 

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“It was my first season doing a full international schedule. I learned so much even in terms of planning and doing so many events in a row it was all about me figuring out what works for me and that’s what happened,” said Walsh who completed a Masters in UCD. 

“I will assess it and do something similar next year. I might play a few of the R&A Student Series in the new year just to have some more international golf but yeah it has been a great year. There are plenty of positives to take from the year. I defended the Ulster Strokeplay and then the Irish Close I had a good run in that won the Homes and Senior Cup – two team wins so plenty of positives to take into next year.” 

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Walsh who played a starring role as Lahinch claimed their third AIG Women’s Senior Cup title in four years in Tramore after helping the Irish Women take home the Women’s Home Internationals title in Ballyliffin in August. 

There was little time for rest and reflection as the 24-year-old was hot topic ahead of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open in Dromoland Castle – where she also holds membership and is coached by head professional Ian Kearney. 

Walsh was swarmed with media and promotional duties in the weeks leading up to the event which was a roaring success. 

The local hero did herself proud with two solid rounds of 71 and 73 although it wasn’t enough to make the weekend, missing out by the minimum on level par. Although she almost brought the house down last Friday as her must hole eagle chip came up a roll shy. 

Still, Walsh is full of positives and can surely look forward to another crack at the whip next year having learned the lessons of her maiden Irish Open appearance which has fuelled her motivation to put in the hard yards this winter. 

“The Irish Open was brilliant for me it made me note so many things I want to work on over the winter. The first thing is to take a break I will go to America for two weeks. I’ll play a bit of golf in South Carolina with my brothers so it’ll be a bit of fun with rented clubs and so on. 

“Then I’ll get back into it there are a few things I want to work on. I’ll be up to Robbie Cannon for strength and conditioning and my coach Ian and I will put a plan together for the next few months. It’s a quick turnaround in the off season really because we will be back up and running in January but I will work full-time in November and December to get time off when the tournaments pick up next year. 

“There were loads of positives to take from the Irish Open. I had so many positives. I had two really solid rounds of golf.” 

In a way, Walsh has come full circle as she aims to end her season on a high at the European Ladies Club Trophy in Slovenia, the site of her first foray into international golf in 2018. 

Walsh is joined in CUBO Golf by fellow Lahinch members Olivia Lucas and Niamh O’Dwyer. 

“I feel like I am playing pretty well and my game is in a good place but you never know with this game, but I will give my best this week and see. 

“The course is nice. September is the month for the most rain in Slovenia so the course is quite soft at the moment it’s all carry so it’s playing as long as it possibly could but still nice. There is rain due again so the tournament might be reduced. Tomorrow there is a weather warning for 18mm of rain so we have to wait and see what happens there. 

“It’s a nice event to have as a last event of the season. My first experience of international golf was this event in 2018 so it’s nice to end my first international golf schedule with this event. Trying to end on a high. 

“It’s another week to try and take note and see where I’m at and that will help me plan for the winter.” 


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