Slowly, but surely, the Leinster Women's Open championship has risen to its rightful place as one of the main events on the calendar - and a visit to The K Club, where the MacGregor-sponsored tournament takes place next week, adds somewhat to the quality of the occasion.
Fittingly, the championship has attracted a strong national representation with players from all four provinces in the field. Next Monday witnesses the 36-hole strokeplay qualifying with the top 16 players progressing to the matchplay stages which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
One of the few notable absentees from the championship is Irish Close champion Suzie Fanagan. She has a perfectly acceptable excuse given that the Curtis Cup panelist will be on honeymoon, while Eileen Rose Power, Kate MacCann and Pamela Murphy are also unavailable.
Otherwise, a strong field has been assembled and Hazel Kavanagh, recent winner of the Royal Co Down Scratch Cup, must start out as favourite. The Grange player won the title last year at Seapoint and has a habit of making a strong start to the season, confirmed by her retention of the Newcastle event earlier this month.
However, Kavanagh is unlikely to have it all her own way, even if the long Arnold Palmer-designed course is considered very much to her liking. Wexford's Elaine Dowdall, who is now on a golfing scholarship to UCD, made a huge impression in last year's Home Internationals and will be among the main dangers to Kavanagh. And Alison Coffey, of Warrenpoint, who is also a current international, is another of the young players capable of taking the title.
On a course made for long hitters, it will be interesting to see how former British champion Lillian Behan fares - and the suspicion is that she will emerge as one of the main contenders for a championship which will provide a good indication of the in-form players prior to the Irish championship at Clandeboye next month.
Meanwhile, the Cork Women's Senior Scratch Cup takes place at Little Island on Sunday when Eavan Higgins and Ada O'Sullivan will be among the main contenders for one of the prestige events.
