Kelly claims first big win of the season  

Wales international Isobel Kelly got the most important season for women and girls golf in Wales off to a great start with a win at the Leveret Trophy, one of the first big tests of the domestic season.

With the AIG Women’s Open coming to Royal Porthcawl in July, the biggest female sporting event ever to be hosted in Wales, along with a million pound boost from the Welsh Government for female facilities at Welsh golf clubs, it is certainly a massive few months coming up.

Rising stars of British and Irish Golf

Welsh Girls champion Kelly, aged 17, is one of the rising stars of British and Irish golf, her win in Formby providing the spearhead for a strong Welsh showing with fellow Wales international Katherine O’Connor finishing fourth.

After winning the Faldo Series European Grand Final in Dubai at the end of last year she is also looking forward to competing at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in Vietnam and the Annika Sorenstam Invitational Europe event in Sweden over the coming months, so an early win is a big boost.
The Leveret Trophy always attracts a strong field from around the UK and counts towards the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Kelly benefitting from work with Wales Golf

“It was a good way to start the season, certainly it provides a confidence boost,” said Kelly,” who has moved to Hollinwell Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.

“The conditions were pretty tough, so I was hitting a lot of low irons and keeping it on the fairway. I did not putt too well the week before, so I had worked hard on that and putted pretty well in Formby.
“It is nice to start with a win in one of the big ones. One of the big reasons has been the work with Wales over the winter, we have played a lot of competitive golf at squad weekends with other squad members playing well, so that has been challenging as well.

“It is my last year as a junior, so it is nice to get a win at women’s level. It is also a big year for women’s golf in Wales with the AIG Women’s Open coming to Porthcawl, it would be great to be there to watch the world’s best players.”

Winter squad work paying off

Wales Golf Director of Pathway and Performance Gareth Jenkins added, “Congratulation to Izzie, an excellent start to the season and it is good to hear the winter squad work is beginning to pay off.
“It was nice to see Kath O’Connor finishing high up as well, one of a few promising results for Welsh golfers over the weekend.

“Cardigan’s Bryn Thomas was an excellent third in the Berkhamsted Trophy, with Theo Baker 18th.

“This week we have the Scottish Boys and Girls National Championships to look forward to, with a good representation from the Welsh squads, so we hope they can continue to build on great results such as Izzy’s at the Leveret.”

Anyone looking for tickets to the AIG Women’s Open and Royal Porthcawl can get them here.

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