But for Maureen Madill, it was more a case of the Beeb pestering her rather than the other way round, as the Portstewart woman – who is again part of their television commentary team for the British Open – reveals.

“The BBC used to ask me with monotonous regularity if I would come and commentate after I’d finished my round, but at that stage I just wanted to concentrate on my game,” she explains.

“But the then producer of Five Live golf, Rob Noffman, rung me in 1997 to ask if I would be part of their team for the Open Championship and, as there were no women’s events that week, I agreed.”

She stopped playing a year later, largely because of having landed “an amazing international coaching job” though the legacy of the back surgery she had to have in the early 1990s was also a factor.

Although Maureen hasn’t had her home here since starting St Andrews University, she is still back from time to time and is delighted to see what a “prosperous place” Belfast has become.

Madill’s media work keeps her busy these days including increasing involvement in commentating on golf tournaments in the United States.

“Starting with the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, I’m in Scotland for three weeks out of four including the men’s and women’s British Opens and then it’s off to the USPGA which I’m doing for XM Radio.

“I’m in the US for all of August, get back on a Wednesday and then am off to Royal County Down on the Thursday for the Walker Cup. I feel fortunate with what I do, though it does mean a lot of time away from home so my husband mightn’t agree!” she says.

Golf has always seemed a particularly civilised sport with a lot of store set by good behaviour and sportsmanship. What are the top professional players like to deal with?

“I’d say that they’re very good, especially on the US tour where, without exception, the players are gracious. Working with leading broadcasters, you get good access, but I certainly can’t complain about the attitude of the players.”

In general, golfers mature earlier and have to take personal responsibility so the environment is less raucous and juvenile than it can be in some team sports.

“I guess golf is a very humbling game – if you shoot 90 you can’t blame someone else, the buck stops with you.