Leave it to Maureen Madill to put into perspective how big a deal hosting the 148th Open Championship is to the membership at Royal Portrush and all of her native land.

Irish women’s golf has gone through many ups and downs over the years but there has nearly always been a big star to keep things ticking over, from a Philomena Garvey or Clarrie Reddan to a Mary McKenna or a Maureen Madill.

Stephanie Meadow kept the Royal Portrush bandwagon rolling at the weekend as she claimed the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship title, the first Northern Ireland player to do so since Maureen Madill lifted the trophy at Nairn 33 years ago.

THE greatest week in the history of Irish ladies’ golf has arrived with the 12th Solheim Cup clash of the United States and Europe set for the Jack Nicklaus-designed Killeen Castle near Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, on Friday.