John O'Sullivan hears from one of the numerous ladies' societies making optimum, weekly use of their favourite golf centre

The Leopardstown Golf Centre has become synonymous with women's golf; 25 ladies' societies play there every week, boasting a string of cute names that run the gamut of golf alliteration from the Monday Marvels right through to the Saturday Signets.

There are the Iron Ladies, the Tigers, the Fairways, the Strollers, the Eagles and the Wedgewoods, among others, each society filling a designated slot in the timesheet on a particular day of the week.

Only one ladies' group gets an afternoon slot, the Monday Mags, mostly schoolteachers.

All the societies play nine-hole competitions, two societies teeing off simultaneously, one from the first and the other from the 10th tee. When they are finished - roughly 90 minutes later - two more societies appear to enjoy their nine-hole foray.

Deirdre O'Callaghan is the honorary secretary of one group, the Friday Fillies, and she explained the allure of the venue for lady golfers.

"It's a very appropriate setting to learn golf in a fun environment," she said. "We have over 100 members and a waiting list of about another 150 applicants. As things stand we've only cleared it back to December 2004. I suppose the proximity (of Friday) to the weekend would have a certain appeal in terms of our society.

"In terms of the age profile it probably starts at 35 and goes up from there. As things stand, given the number of ladies that work or have responsibility for the collection of children and other commitments, the appeal of a nine-hole competition is self-evident."

O'Callaghan is well aware of the twin constraints of family and day job. She works with the Right to Sight Charity alongside eye surgeon Dr Kate Coleman, with the goal of trying to eliminate curable blindness in Africa and Asia.

While there is no doubting the ladies' commitment to golf, the social side is a huge draw for those who join a society, as O'Callaghan explains.

"We have an annual weekend away and there are various dinners and outings. We also meet for lunch, and then there's the coffee and sandwich afterwards. We have great craic.

"There are a core group of players who will play in most conditions, including snow on one occasion. It's an ideal learning ground for those who may later become members of golf clubs and those who want to play the game in a less-pressured environment.

"There is room for everyone of all abilities. The member with the lowest handicap in the society plays off 14 while it goes up to 36. There's an atmosphere of people wanting to learn the game, and there is a willingness to teach.

"We learn from each other. While clubs can be very formal places where people might let you make mistakes unchecked - at least to your face, as they'd probably talk about you afterwards - we look to educate people (on the rules and etiquette) as we go along. When people make mistakes it's pointed out in a nice way."

For those ladies weaned on the primitive facilities offered by the old Leopardstown, the €7 million facelift has been a welcome bonanza.

O'Callaghan admitted: "It's fantastic, a huge improvement, and further changes are planned in developing the golf course.

"It's a very progressive atmosphere and the facilities are superb. When you think of what we used to have and have now, there's no comparison. You can play, practise, get coaching, change your clubs and get custom fit all in the one place.

"The prospective changes for the course will be welcomed, from maybe increasing the length of some of the holes to adding in a few more hazards.

"We would like to be in a position to play 18 holes but most of us cannot accommodate that time commitment in our lives at present. It won't always be that way."

It seems the Friday Fillies are not missing out too much in any respect, on or off the course.