Olivia Costello is not blocking out dreams of making the European Junior Ryder Cup team this September and insists it is her big goal heading into a blockbuster summer.
Just four qualifying events remain on the Girls’ calendar, one of which is the Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship at Headfort Golf Club where Costello is five shots off the pace after an opening round of level-par 72.
The Roscommon star has two wins under her belt at the Woodbrook Scratch Cup and the Triple A Series World Final but crucially was runner-up in the Spanish International Ladies Amateur and 17th in the French U21 Championship, which are two of the counting events.
A missed cut at last week’s Women’s Amateur Championship in Nairn has done little to dent her confidence that she can be part of Stephen Gallacher’s team.
The top-3 in the Boys and Girls rankings will earn automatic picks and Costello is inside the top-10 of the latest rankings so looks in good shape for a captain’s pick from Gallacher for the event on September 23-25 at Nassau Country Club.
“It’s definitely my biggest goal this year to get on that European team,” said 17-year-old Costello who is in transition year.
“It would be unbelievable and I am really hoping to play well this year and have some good finishes in big tournaments and hopefully that takes care of it.”
It’s been an excellent season for Costello who would love to knock off a maiden senior women’s title this weekend in Kells and she has been putting in trojan work both on and off the golf course as she looks to reach the next level.
“I’m really enjoying my golf this year, it’s been a good start to the year and have really enjoyed it so hopefully I can keep it going for the rest of the season,” added Costello who is part of Shane O’Grady’s stable which includes Leona Maguire.
Maguire will be the poster girl for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open in two weeks’ time and Costello is hoping that she can upstage the likes of Charley Hull and Georgia Hall and make a splash on her fourth appearance.
Costello made her debut in the event at Dromoland Castle aged just 14 and she believes she is ready to finally make the cut at Carton House.
“Definitely excited for it. I played in it the last three years and had some really good experiences from it hopefully I can make the cut this year, that’s the main goal and I am really looking forward to it.”
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