By Daniel Noble
A STAR-STUDDED lineup took to Kirkistown Castle Golf Club to support local golfer Beth Coulter as she prepares to turn professional.
The Beth Coulter Corporate Golf Day featured some of the country’s greatest sportsmen, playing in a scramble competition, with the event aimed at generating funding for Ireland’s current top female amateur.
Former Ireland and Ulster Rugby captain Rory Best got his scramble underway at hole one, teeing off first for his four-man group.
Elsewhere on the course, six-time Superbike world champion Jonathan Rea, North West 200 record wins holder Alastair Seeley, Olympic bronze medal and Commonwealth gold medal boxer Aidan Walsh and BBC Newsline sports presenter Stephen Watson MBE were all in action.
Once the scores were settled on the course, the event headed to the 19th hole, where Coulter’s new sponsors, Presidio and AWS, were announced and an auction took place alongside a Watson-led question and answer session with the sporting stars.
With the Arizona State University scholar set to transition from college golf to the professional game on July 28, the financial and moral support from those in attendance could be pivotal, and Best was more than happy to help someone he has admired for some time.
“I met Beth a number of years ago, through her head coach and her manager, Neil Graham and Neil Simpson, and I’ve been a follower of her ever since,” he said.
“It’s brilliant to see her doing so well. Whenever Neil Simpson sent the invitation through, it was easy to come down and support Beth.
“At the end of the day, especially when you’re on that amateur side of things, it’s so important that you get the support from so many people.
“She’s a very talented young lady, but she also needs the platform to produce her talent. That takes money and for people to help you, so any bit that we can do to support her, we’re more than willing.”
Champion Jonathan Rea at the Beth Coulter Corporate Golf Day.
The level of generosity from friends and family, fellow sportspeople, sponsors and Kirkistown club members was not lost on Coulter either.
“I’m really proud of where I come from and everybody’s always been behind me,” she said.
“Here feels like home and you have that kind of community spirit. I never want to lose that and to have everyone out here supporting me, it means a lot.”
Having enjoyed a 15-year professional rugby career, Best was also full of advice for Coulter when it comes to playing at the top level of a sport.
“You’ve got to understand that you started off with a love for the game, and you need to ensure that you never lose that, because that’s the thing that allows you to make a mistake, pick yourself up and go again,” he added.
“The big thing is to never let it become like a job, especially when you turn pro, you’re faced with the highpressure moments and your income depends on it.
“Just remember, it’s a sport and you love it. Don’t forget the reason you started playing the game as a young kid.”
Before long, Coulter will find herself facing some of the top female golfers on the planet, aiming to secure a place on the Ladies European Tour (LET) or Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) Tour – a challenge she is relishing.
“Transitioning from college and amateur golf to professional golf is definitely going to be different, but I’m really excited and it’s something I’m looking forward to,” she explained.
“I think college golf has prepared me for moving into the professional game. I’ve spent four years practicing, playing and living like a pro.
“One of the things that has always been talked about is that college is to prepare you for professional golf and expose you to the best players in the world.
“My biggest ambitions are to play in the Solheim Cup and win a major, probably the British Open. That’s something I’ll be working towards, as well as getting an LET or LPGA tour
card. I’m practicing most days to be able to achieve those things.”
