While the phrase itself has become tedious and almost meaningless, the reality is that professional golf does have a role to play (though likely not as important as some think) in attracting and keeping people playing.

It’s not difficult to find young, elite amateur or professional players talking enthusiastically about the influence of Tiger Woods or Se Ri Pak on their life decisions regarding golf.

But beyond those with professional ambitions, is that still true? Do many people with no previous exposure to the game suddenly decide they want to take it up because they have seen a professional tournament?

No doubt there will be some (Nick Faldo springs to mind) but unquestionably they are a minority compared to those who have an existing connection to or interest in the game.

Which brings us to this week’s events.

Laklalech was herself inspired by fellow Moroccan Maha Haddioui. PHOTO: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

With the LIV Golf/PGA Tour controversy continuing to dominate headlines, it’s even harder for some of the game’s lesser circuits to attract attention and an interesting storyline from the Ladies European Tour was all but lost at the weekend.

Morocco’s Ines Laklalech became the first Arab woman to win a professional golf tournament when she beat England’s Meghan Maclaren in a play-off at the French Open.

Laklalech is just the second Arab woman to compete on the LET after fellow Moroccan Maha Haddioui, who qualified for the circuit in 2013.

These are significant events for a part of the world which does not yet have a strong golf culture.

24-year-old Laklalech has an interesting back story which speaks to the point about the influence of professional golf.

Laklalech discovered the game at the age of 10 when her father took her to the driving range with him. (Note, her introduction had nothing to do with professional golf.)

Immediately hooked on the challenge, she spent that summer beating balls and improving and over the ensuing years got good enough to earn a place on the college team at Wake Forest in the US.

However, more interested in study than golf she left soon after, gave up playing and instead completed a degree in Management Science at University College London.

"It is likely that somewhere in Morocco, or elsewhere in northern Africa, lives a young girl who has just found a new hero in Laklalech and who knows where that might lead?" - Rod Morri.

It was only when she returned to Morocco in 2019 that she was encouraged to start playing again and in 2021 earned her LET card through Q-School.

Which is where the story comes somewhat full circle. While her victory this week is unlikely to prompt a non-golfer to take up the game, it may well be the catalyst for a youngster from the Arab world deciding to pursue golf as a career.

“When I started if anyone told me I would become a professional golfer I wouldn’t have believed them,” Laklalech said prior to her professional debut in March at the Saudi Ladies International.

“There wasn’t a lot of women playing the sport in Morocco but obviously Maha [Haddoui] played an incredible role.

“Having someone from your country make it makes it more of a dream that can come true because you can identify more easily with someone from the same country as you who has the same resources.”

After her win in France, Laklalech will likely now be that role model for somebody else.

“Morocco is doing a great job in promoting golf and I think having a Moroccan winning on a major tour will be huge for the country and for the Arab world in general,” she said after the win.

It is likely that somewhere in Morocco, or elsewhere in northern Africa, lives a young girl who has just found a new hero in Laklalech and who knows where that might lead?

Laklalech herself is only at the beginning of her career and may well be a star in the making. But there’s every chance she is also already playing a role in the development of the next generation of champions from her part of the world.