Of course, Ireland just missed out on celebrating an unprecedented hat-trick in the Ladies Home Internationals, when they failed to capture the trophy in 2005 which they had won in 2003 and 2004. But even without that particular achievement, ladies amateur golf can still look towards a bright future - especially with the likes of 12 year old twins Lisa and Leona Maguire progressing through the ranks (playing off 10 and 12, they won the Young Masters Golf Grand Masters Final in La Manga, Spain).

Nevertheless, even without brilliant individuals, ILGU has introduced a number of measures to ensure that golf remains a favourite sport among Irish women. For example, in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, ILGU is implementing the Women in Sport programme, with coaching in place to introduce more and more women to the game. The first event will take place in Stepaside, with the hope that it can be replicated across the country.

Another first for ladies golf will be the inaugural AA Championship, which brings together a number of district competitions into a national event (similar to the Cups and Shields for men). A team competition, it is expected that more than 15,000 women, representing more than 300 clubs, will take part. The finals will take place in October at Headford Golf Club.

"We are very upbeat about the future of women's golf in Ireland, " said Sinead Heraty, chief executive of ILGU. "Our one concern would be regarding golf club membership. The cost, especially on the East Coast, could put off a lot of women who would otherwise join a club, because we feel that ladies would not be prepared to pay as much for membership as the men."

Nevertheless, the impact of women on the game in Ireland can be seen across all levels of the game. For example, Shirley Sleator has scored a number of significant firsts in the country, albeit off the playing surface. She was the first woman secretary manager of a Dublin golf club at St Anne's in 1999, she was the first woman secretary manager in North Leinster at Ardee in 2003. Now at Forrest Little in North Dublin, she is responsible for overseeing the workings of this famous club.

"I believe that having a good golfing background helps for the job, and as past ladies Captian at Beaverstown, it helps me to understand the needs and aspirations of the members." she said.

However, Sleator would like to dispel a rumour that has been circulating the golf world, a rumour which seems to be gaining currency among the clubs of Dublin and its environs.

"There is a notion that Forrest Little will be sold, or is moving, or is buying another club in Dublin, " she said. "The fact is that there is no truth to these rumours. If at any point in the future, there is going to be such a move, then that will be the members' decision, and we would have to hold an EGM. But we have only been at our current location since 1971, so there are no plans to move at the moment."