Conaty driving for more international golf glory

PADRAIG Harrington"s achievement in winning the British Open has inspired golfers everywhere to work at at their game and try to maximise their talents- no matter what level they play at. Among them is Ashbourne golfer Dawn Marie Conaty. Just a week before Harrington achieved his historic double success at Birkdale, Conaty also ticked off one of her big career goals when she made her senior international debut for Ireland in the European Women"s Championships in Sweden. 'It was great watching Padraig with the British Open again, he"s such a good golfer, a role model for anyone who plays the game. He"s always trying to improve his game. He"s also very down to earth, not a bit arrogant,' she said. Having tasted international competition at senior level Conaty now wants more and her immediate aim will be to hold onto their place in the Irish team for the forthcoming Home Internationals. The 22-year-old can go a long way to securing a place when she takes part in the inter-provincials in East Clare in two weeks. In the meantime all she can do is keep working at her game. At the European Championships Conaty, who has a handicap of two, and her Irish team-mates took on Finland, Italy and Switzerland. While they defeated the Finns, they lost out to their two other opponents. Taking part in the competition has helped Conaty to pinpoint aspects of her game that she needs to work on. 'After playing in a competition like the European Championships it really makes you think about where you"re game is at at the moment. With me it"s definitely the short game I have to work on, inside 100 yards is crucial. 'After finishing the European Championships we all agreed that there"s really no difference between amateurs and the pros at that level, the teams we played were all young, all full-time professionals.' she added. 'You have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for a big championship, not the day before but weeks beforehand so that you"re ready for what you will face.' Like Harrington the past few weeks have been hectic, and eventful, for Conaty. She has spent the past four years on a golf scholarship in America, graduating from Memphis University with a degree in journalism earlier this summer. Getting a call up for the Irish team put the finishing touches a memorable spell in her career. Conaty"s time spent in America gave her an opportunity to spend long hours on her game and see some of the most famous courses in the world. 'It was a fantastic experience but very tough, demanding. We got to travel to places like Hawaii, Mexico and we also visited Augusta, the home of the US Masters.' It was hardly surprising that Conaty should become a golfer as her family is steeped in the game. Her parents Lily and Tom are fellow golfers while her brothers and uncles also play the game. Conaty showed early promise winning the Irish Girls Close championship when she was just 15. She went on to represent Ireland at u-18 and u-23 levels. She won the Midlands Ladies title last year and earlier this summer came second in the same competition to Tara Delaney who was also on the Irish team in Sweden. 'Every day you go out on a golf course it"s different, a different challenge. 'You might have a bad day but the next time you go out you can hit the ball really well. Every course presents a different set of problems and you have to play it a certain way to get around. There"s so many factors involved.' Now back home Conaty aims to do a masters in journalism and continue to work hard on improving her golf. Harrington showed what can be achieved with persistence and plenty of practice.