Teenage golf sensation Charley Hull will raise the profile of girls’ golf when she plays an exhibition match this Friday at Rutland County Golf Club, near Stamford in Lincolnshire.
Charley, 17, was an England international before turning professional and joining the Ladies European Tour – becoming the 2013 rookie of the year and a star of Europe’s winning Solheim Cup team.
She will partner another 17-year-old for the match: the club’s lady champion and county girls’ team captain, Imogen Huxley.
Imogen, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, plays off four handicap and is currently studying for her A levels. She was the club’s only girl member until Rutland County recently launched a scholarship scheme offering tuition and membership to four boys and four girls.
The exhibition match has been arranged to raise the profile of girls’ golf. Club owner George Lowe commented: “We are trying to highlight the opportunities in golf that exist for any young girl willing to put in the time and effort. We wish to try and correct the very poor up-take of golf in this group and have been very fortunate in gaining Charley’s support in our efforts to do so.”
Before the match Charley will visit Casterton Business Enterprise College where Rutland County has provided, and maintains, a six-hole putting green for students. Those who show interest in the game are offered coaching and free membership of the club’s Par 3 academy course.
The match itself will start at 10.30am and spectators are welcome. After lunch Charley will take a question and answer session before opening the club’s Tiger Tots play yard, where young children can have a go at golf.
Photograph: Getty Images
