Promising players on parade in girls’ championships
23rd July 2013Devon’s most promising young golfers will be on parade next week when the English U15 and U13 girls’ championships are played at Tiverton Golf Club from 30 July to 1 August.
Ten local players have entered the U15 event, while another three will play in the U13 championship. Meanwhile, two more will take part in the English girls’ U18 amateur championship, which is played simultaneously at Oake Manor Golf Club, near Taunton.
The county’s representatives in the U15s at Tiverton include Devon ladies’ champion Chloe Howard of Boringdon Park. Chloe was fourth in last year’s English U13s and has now moved up an age group.
Among the other Devon players in the U15 field are county girls’ champion Caitlin Evans-Brand (Yelverton), together with Maddie Stone (East Devon) and the host club’s Grace Jackson, who have both trained with England’s Birdie squads.
They’ll be challenged for the title by girls from around the country, including Surrey’s Sammy Fuller, who recently made her debut for GB&I in the junior Vagliano Trophy match against Continental Europe – and scored an impressive singles win.
Sammy, who is 14, won the U13 championship in 2011 and was runner-up last year. Third place went to Lucy Walton (The Worcestershire) who has also moved up an age group and will be competing in the U15s.
These events are open for the first time this year and have attracted players from Wales, Spain, Austria and Germany.
All players in both championships will play 18 holes on each of Tuesday and Wednesday, 30 and 31 July. Then, the leading 36 players and ties in the U15 event will qualify for the final 36 holes to be played on Thursday, 1 August. The leading 18 players and ties in the U13 event will qualify for the final 18 holes on the Thursday. Spectators are welcome.