Mehaffey makes LET debut in Morocco

Olivia Mehaffey (left) with Lynn McCool, Director of Golf at Lough Erne Resort.

Olivia Mehaffey will make her Ladies European Tour debut this week when she lines up in the Lalla Meryem Cup at Golf de L’ Ocean in Agadir, Morocco on March 13-16.
The Ulster and Ireland amateur star won the Faldo Series event at Lough Erne last year before finishing second in the Girls’ section at the Grand Final in October. Sir Nick arranged the invitation for the 16-year-old through the Ladies European Tour, which lends its support to the six-time Major winner’s global golf development programme.
“I’m extremely thankful to Sir Nick and the Ladies European Tour for giving me this amazing opportunity,” said Mehaffey, a member of Royal County Down Golf Club.

“The Faldo Series is different to other amateur tournaments in that if you perform well at a Grand Final you can be invited to play in a professional Tour event, which is a huge prize. I’m looking forward to testing myself against some of Europe’s best players in Morocco.”

The Lalla Meryem Cup runs parallel to the men’s event on the European Tour, the Trophée Hassan II, which was won by Michael Hoey in 2012. Hoey has returned to Morocco for the 2014 staging, alongside Simon Thornton, Shane Lowry, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Paul McGinley and David Higgins.
“We are delighted Olivia has taken up this invitation to play in the Lalla Meryem Cup, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Ladies European Tour has enjoyed a close collaboration with the Faldo Series to help provide playing opportunities for developing young players. It will be a tremendous experience for Olivia to compete alongside the best players in European golf and enjoy the atmosphere of a Ladies European Tour event,” said Di Barnard, Tour Director of the LET Access Series.
“I’d like to thank the Ladies European Tour for their ongoing support,” said Faldo.
“This is a unique opportunity for Olivia to compete against some of the world’s top professional golfers and I’m sure she will make the most of the experience.”
Mehaffey was recently named on the Ulster team to defend their inter-provincial crown at Tramore Golf Club next month.

Tags: Di Barnard, Faldo Series, Ladies European Tour, Lalla Meryem Cup, Lough Erne, Michael Hoey, Olivia Mehaffey, Paul McGinley, Royal County DOwn, Shane Lowry, Sir NIck Faldo, Trophee Hassan II