After considerable investment in their extensive facilities, Faithlegg gain a timely reward through the staging of the Waterford Crystal Irish Women's Open, which starts on Thursday, and is prefaced by a pro-am tomorrow. In the process, the design skills of Patrick Merrigan gain further recognition in what is developing into a significant year for his creations.

Last month saw the staging of the Irish Seniors Open at Tulfarris, where the world's top senior, Bruce Fleisher, captured the title. And another of Merrigan's designs, Slieve Russell, will be the venue for the North-West of Ireland Classic in August.

Located on the River Suir estuary, six miles east of Waterford City, the Faithlegg complex, which is part of the Tower Hotel Group, includes an 82-bedroom hotel, swimming pool and fitness centre. Ted Higgins is the resident professional and chief executive of the golf course, which overlooks the Suir and also features mature trees and five lakes as design features.

The £8 million development involved the refurbishment of the 17th century Faithlegg House, which was in the Power family until 1936, when it became the property of the De la Salle Brothers who remained there until 1970.

It certainly promises to be a worthy venue for the seventh staging of a championship in which the top attraction will be Laura Davies, winner for the first two years at St Margarets, in 1994 and 1995. There are seven Irish players in the 116-strong field: professionals Aideen Rogers, Debbie Hanna and Lynn McCool, and amateurs Claire Coughlan, Elaine Dowdall, Martina Gillen and Sinead Keane.