Olivia selected for Irish Golf teams

Fourteen-year-old Olivia is a member of Royal County Down Ladies Golf Club and Tandragee Golf Club and plays off a handicap of three.

The first competition Olivia will be competing in is the Under 18 European Championships in Germany, from the July 10-14.

This is a tremendious achievement for Olivia as the team include the twins Lisa and Leona Maguire who have handicaps of plus 4 and plus 5 and have already won the competition for Ireland.

Then it’s off to Hungary from July 26-28 to play in the European under-16 young masters. Previous wins of this tournament include Sergio Garcia. Two boys and two girls make up this team and to date the boys have not been selected.

Olivia is looking forward to both of these competitions as it gives her a chance to represent her country, and to compete with the best female golfers in Europe.

Already this season Olivia has competed against the best girls and ladies golfers in Ireland and Europe. Her biggest achievement this year to date was finishing in the top 10 at Roganstown Irish Girls under 18 open stroke play championship, and was the second best Irish player in the field which contained the top under 18 golfers in Europe.

At “The Island” Ladies Amateur Open Stroke Play with winds of 35miles per hour, Olivia finished in the top 12, and again the best European amateur girls and ladies took part in this event.

Olivia travelled to Strathmore, to take part in the Scottish under-16 strokepay, where she finished inside the top 15.

This year the I.L.G.U. in conjunction with Titlest, introduced a new order of merit for four events out of six scratch cup competitions. Olivia finshed tenth overall in the ladies and second in the girls under-18.

In September Olivia is heading to Lough Erne Resort to take part in Sir Nick Faldo Grand Final Series. As well as playing in the event, Sir Nick faldo will host golfing clinics for all competitors. The winner of each age competition will be invited to play in Mission Hills Golf Club in China to challenge for the Asia title. The top boy and girl from this event will receive a start in a professional tournament.

Olivia would like to thank Derek Brown of Banbridge Driving Range for all his help during the winter in providing practice facilities.

A special thanks to Mr Bell, headmaster of Banbridge High School, for his continued support in allowing Olivia time off to compete in the various competitions.