Caption: Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow host a clinic at the ISPS Handa World Invitational | Golffile

Thirty junior girls were welcomed to Galgorm Castle to meet their heroes, 20×20 Ambassadors Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow

As part of their dedication to grow female sport Golf4Girls4Life and the 20×20 Campaign teamed up to host a special Festival of Golf at the ISPS Handa World Invitational Pro-Am.

Thirty junior girls were welcomed to Galgorm Castle to meet their heroes, 20×20 Ambassadors Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow, who are home to compete in their first event on the island of Ireland since 2012. All who attended are part of Golf4Girls4Life, a four stage development programme introduced by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union. 

The tagline of the 20×20 Campaign is ‘if she can’t see it, she can’t be it’ and the World Invitational was seen as the perfect opportunity to showcase this mantra.

Maguire and Meadow demonstrated their short game skills on the par 3 course at Galgorm Castle while the girls had a chance to ask questions, get autographs and pose for photos with the homegrown stars. When both Professionals dashed off to get ready for their Pro-Am tee time, the junior girls continued the competitive spirit with a Par 3 competition before heading to the first tee to watch the on-course action.

‘It’s very cool to see so many girls here today. I remember going to the Irish Open at Carton House with Dad when I was younger to watch the guys play. It’s nice that now they’re here to see us play,’ said Leona.

Meadow said: ‘As 20×20 Ambassadors we haven’t had a chance yet to come home and perform. I think that’s special for both of us. It’s the first time that a lot of the young girls will actually be able to see us so it’s just fantastic. If we could get even one or two girls, maybe more, to pick up the game this week that’s our job done.’