Beth Coulter’s professional career may be in its infancy but she can stand alongside Leona Maguire as the only tour winners from Ireland as she looks to make a splash on the big stage at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
Coulter has long been tipped for stardom, but turning professional is always a step into the unknown and a successful amateur career does not guarantee similar rewards. Who could have thought that Justin Rose would miss his first 21 cuts? Coulter has had no such worries and in her first month clinched a debut victory at the Women’s Irish Challenge in Malahide.
Having seen friends from her amateur days like Lauren Walsh, Anna Foster, Sara Byrne and Áine Donegan turn professional and do well the 22-year-old is eager to get up alongside them and in time, surpass them.
“Leona said it yesterday, success breeds success so having the other girls doing really well keeps striving you forward,” said Coulter ahead of her third KPMG Women’s Irish Open start and first in the paid ranks. “Irish girls golf does belong out here and we can all compete. It helps that Anna is doing well on one tour, I am doing well on another tour. It’s really nice and spurs us on definitely.”
The Kirkistown Castle star is still getting used to her new environment but admits her maiden victory last month has made the Ladies European Tour goal not quite as lofty as it once appeared. The top-7 on the LET Access earn cards for the main tour at the end of the campaign and with seven events remaining she is ninth after a win and a runner-up in two appearances.
There should be rare starts on the LET, including this week, to come between now and the end of the season but Coulter will be gunning for a top-7 finish on the Access Series so she can forego Q-School and become a permanent fixture with her friends.
“It was really cool and to do it at home was really special. It was a really good first week out, with family and friends down supporting. To play at home is nice but to win at home was pretty special.
“I was just having so much fun. The few days before in England I was playing the Open qualifier with Áine and having Owen on the bag. Two of my best friends who don’t play golf were down there. The goal on the LET Access is to get your card as soon as possible and that win helps get points on the board.
“The win gave me good confidence that I could compete there and I tried to back it up in Denmark. That was the goal to compound a good result with another one, that proved that I belong there and can contend for a card.”
Coulter’s phone was understandably buzzing with congratulatory text messages from well wishers including a certain Rory Best with the ex-Ireland and Ulster hooker a firm supporter.
“Rory Best reached out as soon as I had won and said ‘you belong here.’ He said as long as I am having fun the golf will take care of itself and that’s a big thing I have taken into my amateur career and try to transition that into my pro career. The more fun I can have the better I play.”
Fun is the aim of the game and the tee time Coulter has been drawn is sure to provide just that with an all Irish group alongside Áine Donegan and Edmondstown amateur Anna Abom.
“Our parents and families were delighted and they are very good friends. Áine is one of my best friends in life and golf so playing with her at home will be really special. I am really good friends with Anna too we grew up playing golf in Ireland together so it’s going to be really special.
“From when we arrived on Monday you are looking for your other friends. I haven’t seen some of them since last summer so it’s really nice to have that home comfort and that will make it easier to play good golf.”
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