Essex teenager Sophie Wheeler has just won her second national title with a two-shot victory in the England Girls’ County Champion of Champions tournament.
Essex teenager Sophie Wheeler has just won her second national title with a two-shot victory in the England Girls’ County Champion of Champions tournament.
The 16-year-old became the Essex Girls’ Champion for the first time earlier this season and capitalised on it in the national championship.
Wheeler carded a tournament score of 1-over par over the 36 holes on the Green course at Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire. The teenager commented,
“This means a lot, especially as my dad caddied for me.”
Wheeler, from Thorndon Park Golf Club near Brentwood, adds this to her win in the 2015 Abraham Trophy, when she claimed the title of England’s Most Improved girl golfer.
“This feels really good,” she said. “I haven’t been playing my best recently and it was nice to come and play well and for everything to go right.”
She’s been practising hard to get her game in shape and she made sure she was well prepared for today’s competition. “I played well in practice and I mapped out where I needed to be and where not to miss,” said Wheeler. Her efforts were rewarded by good ball striking, good putting and very steady scoring.
She birdied the last two holes of the morning round for level par 70 and a two-shot lead over Shropshire’s Sophie Johnson (Enville). The margin between the two girls stayed the same in the afternoon with Johnson taking the runners-up spot on three-over par. Tied third on seven over were Cheshire’s Lucy Jamieson (Heswall) and Cumbria’s Abby Roper (Seascale).
Wheeler, who was playing off four, is looking forward to a handicap cut after today’s rounds. Her success may also inspire other girl golfers, for Wheeler has long been involved with Girls Golf Rocks, the recruitment campaign run by England Golf and the Golf Foundation.
She was one of the original Ambassadors when the scheme was first launched in Essex. She was closely involved for over two years, showing other girls that golf is a fun and friendly sport, and she continues to promote the game and encourage girls to play.
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Image credit: Leaderboard Photography
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