Canice, 8, qualifies for national skills final

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Canice Screene is the pride of her club after reaching the national final of the Junior Skills Challenge.

The young Shirley Park Golf Club junior was one of three players from her club taking part in the regional final in Hitchin on August 3.

Having won her group, Canice will play in the English final at Woodhall Spa Golf Club on September 11. It means she is in the last four for her age nationally.

Her club colleagues Joseph Cotton, six, and Lily Cotton, seven, also qualified for the regional event, finishing third and second in their respective groups.

Entries were received from more 500 English golf clubs and the competition sees contestants tested on their skills in putting, chipping, pitching, full swing and bunker play.

Lessons were given by Paul Humphreys, one of Shirley Park’s PGA professionals ahead of the Shirley Park qualifying event held over two days in April and June.

Bob Watson, Skills Challenge organiser at Shirley Park, said: “We are obviously delighted with these incredible first year Junior Skills results. Our professionals, club staff and the Junior Academy have all been working very hard to improve junior golf skills at Shirley Park and the efforts by all have paid off.”

Shirley Park Golf Club are keen to expand their Junior Golf Academy programme and want to hear from more parents who would like to discuss their children taking up golf.

Call Steve Murphy on 02086541143 or email secretary@shirleyparkgolfclub.co.uk for further junior membership information.