Women & Golf’s Editor Alison Root, and leading amateur players Sophie Lamb and Inci Mehmet were happy to support Golfing4Life at Hertfordshire's Centurion Golf Club.
Women & Golf’s Editor Alison Root, and leading amateur players Sophie Lamb and Inci Mehmet were happy to support Golfing4Life and the stars of tomorrow at Hertfordshire's Centurion Golf Club.
Golfing4Life (G4L) was established in 2010 and has until now been a relatively unknown not for profit organisation that supports the development of young golfers, who might otherwise be unable to fulfil their potential due to financial constraints.
With early support from friends, golf coaches, businesses and their associates who shared the same vision, the GL4 team has been able to roll out the model, distributing bursaries through the relevant golfing unions. Having proven the model and increased their network, GL4 is now in a position to expand and offer more talented amateurs an opportunity to realise their ambitions.
While GL4 is committed to excellence in golf, the organisation also instil life attributes in youngsters and have developed a relationship with both the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and Teen Cancer America (TCA). One of GL4’s plans for 2017 is to incorporate both charities in an across the pond pro-am featuring some of the world’s top professionals and amateurs.
At a recent inaugural media day at the impressive Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, it was most apt to see 24 of England’s leading players joining the press including GL4 ambassador Marco Penge.
Twenty-year-year-old Inci Mehmet and 18-year-old Sophie Lamb joined me for 18 holes, and what impressive players they are! As their season comes to a close, here’s what they had to say:
Tell me about your 2016 season
SL: It has been my best year so far. Winning the British women’s stroke play was a highlight. I have really learnt to relax and enjoy my golf. Hearing from the Golfing4Life, there are so many children less fortunate and we are so lucky to be able to play golf as our job. I used to be very hard on myself, but now if I have a bad shot, it doesn’t matter so much - nobody has died!
IM: At the beginning of the year I didn’t play as well as I would like. I began working with a new coach, Daniel Grieve who is based at Woburn. Practice was great but under tournament pressure my practice was not reflecting in my performance. I have improved as the year has progressed and whilst my game isn’t perfect, I’m mentally stronger and even my poor shots are better.
What are your long-term goals?
SL: I’m a full-time golfer so I will continue to practise and play in tournaments. One of my goals for 2017 is to make the GB&I Vagliano team. I will wait for the Curtis Cup in 2018 and hopefully after that I will be in a position to turn pro.
IM: I’m going to Morocco for stage one Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in November and, all being well, the final stages in December. I’d like to receive a full European tour card.
What is your fitness regime?
SL: I try to see Paul Farquharson once every six weeks, who also works with Danny Willett. He sets two programmes – one for strength and one for movement. During the winter I knuckle down on strength work and then during the season, in addition to maintaining my strength, I ensure that I can move well otherwise, if I’m a bit tight somewhere, it will affect my swing and overall performance.
IM: A couple of years ago I used to be gym driven but now golf is my priority and the gym is an add-on. I have a new trainer, Neal Dinan, as it is super-important to be able to move well and gaining strength does help prevent injury.
Do you travel overseas for winter training?
SL: I go to southern Spain quite a lot in the winter. I’m very lucky that my parents have a place near The San Roque Club. I’m also going to Dubai for a week later this year.
IM: I was invited to play in the Korean Open in July and through contacts have been invited to go to Thailand between January and March to train with some of the KLPGA players. I haven’t committed yet as my focus is on Q-School.
England International Inci Mehmet
What do you think of the golf course at Centurion Club?
SL: Great now, but In two or three year’s time when the course has developed even more, it will be amazing. The club should definitely host some top amateur or professional events.
IM: A fantastic test of golf, especially the greens. It’s not often that I play a golf course and want to play it again, but I would love to come back here.
For further information, visit: www.golfing4life.com
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