ANTRIM (Northern Ireland) – Olivia Mehaffey twinkled as she fondly recalled her father’s last appearance on the fairways of one of her events – the ISPS Handa World Invitational 2021.
Philip Mehaffey had not gotten up from bed for months following his colon cancer diagnosis in 2020. But after receiving a motorized wheelchair, he went to watch his daughter compete in her first LPGA event.
Olivia was surprised by her father’s commitment to seeing her play. The support she received helped her to achieve a top-20 ranking.
“I looked at every fairway, and I was like, Oh my god, he’s here.” Mehaffey told a group of golfers at Galgorm Castle Golf Club that he should go home. This was as they prepared to play the ISPS Handa International’s final round.
It was nice to have him with me every time I played. “I think it’s probably the memories, and how special it was having him beside me at every shot or hole.”
Mehaffey was in a dark place soon after her triumphant debut at home. In December 2021 her father died of the disease, and she threw herself into the game to cope with the pain.
Mehaffey opened the 2022 golf season by undergoing a gauntlet of tournaments. She played eight weeks in a row, earning her passport stamps from South Africa, Thailand and Australia. After the tournament, Mehaffey’s game began to slip and she was experiencing a dangerous mix of fatigue and uncertainty both on and off the golf course. After pulling out of the Skafto Open, in Sweden, nearly a full year ago she finally suffered a breakdown.
Mehaffey realized she needed to take some time away from the game she loves. She needed time away from the sport she loves.
She told the Irish Times that grief was the strangest thing she’d ever experienced. “I think it’s because people aren’t willing to talk about it. It’s hard to explain. You don’t even know when it will come.
“I have had moments when I felt completely fine and then one thought triggers it, and I am a mess. In life, we are taught that there is a solution to everything. Everyone’s experience differs, and it happens to people differently. It’s hard to understand.
Olivia Mehaffey with her mother Evelyn and father Philip
She put down the clubs. She stopped worrying about flags, and began to think about what made her tick. Mehaffey announced on her personal blog that after months of reflection she had emerged from the depths of suffering she’d experienced.
When I reflect back on the past 12 months, all that is left are the pain, the hardships, and the tears. I can still feel the scars 2022 left on me. I can also see the progress. I remember where I was and the dark places that I went through alone. I felt my lowest point. “I also see the progression,” she said. “I see the progress I’ve made, but it is still not where I would like it to be. I recognize the hard work I put in to get myself out of the dark hole. I am proud that I stepped out of my comfort zones, was brave enough to ask for help, and admitted my struggles. I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, being brave to get help and admitting that I struggle.
It is a pleasure to watch her play this week in her native country, the ISPS Handa. She has found the right balance to be successful. She bounced around the media center Wednesday for interviews with her wide smile and blonde hair that made it look like she was a native of the Tempe, Arizona campus where, after so many successful years, she had spent.
Mehaffey finished third in the Ladies Open By Pickala Rock Resort, Finland, a few weeks back, a record for her. She hopes to make her father proud again this week with the help of family and friends, even if he is not present.
“At first of the year, I did not set any goals. Normaly, I decide where I’m going to finish in the world rankings, my order of merit and what tournaments I will win. “I didn’t do anything like that this year,” said she. “I wanted to enjoy golf again after my break from last year, so I am doing it again. I will keep the same mindset for the remainder of the year.
I think that when you enjoy it, you play well. That’s my main goal. It’s important to not put any pressure on yourself, to have no expectations. This can be difficult to do at times, but it is very important.
Mehaffey prepared herself for a busy period by avoiding tournament golf, a strategy that she had never been comfortable with before. She will be off the road three weeks when she plays her first round at Galgorm Castle today.
She seems at peace now.
It’s nice to have a few weeks of rest. I took the first week off and did not play. Mehaffey: “I felt like I was getting a bit burned out. I played a lot golf.” “And the last two weeks, I worked a lot with coach. Preparing for this has been great. The rest of the year is going to be very busy. The LET calendar is quite busy.
“So, a lot more practicing and get really prepared for the Irish Open as well after this.” It’s wonderful to have two home events in a row.”
