Student Anna lifts awards on college circuit

Apr 16 2008 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

ENGLAND international Anna Scott, the North East’s number one female golfer, has just won her second Golfer of the Week award for her performances on the US college circuit.

The staunch Newcastle United fan, 22, is a student at Georgia State University and on her latest two outings for the team she has finished fifth – and on both occasions won the weekly accolade from her conference, the Colonial Athletic Association. In her latest tournament Scott finished five shots clear of her team-mates after two sub-par rounds of 71 and a three-over 75.

The former British Under-16 champion, coached by Brian Ridley at the Beamish Park Hotel Golf Academy, landed nine birdies during the event and her achievement was beaten only by two other players. She helped her team into second place.

Scott, who lives in Shotley Bridge and is a member of the Consett & District club, has also been involved in a recent off-course drama. A few weeks ago Atlanta, where she lives, was hit by tornadoes and her flat was badly damaged, forcing her to move to new accommodation.

But the weather was not allowed to interfere with golf. Shortly afterwards Georgia State hosted their home tournament and won the team competition, with Anna claiming fourth place in the individual event.

The 6ft 2in Scott has been in the top 20 in eight of Georgia State's nine events this season.

She was a semi-finalist in the 2007 English championship and took fifth place in both the English strokeplay championship and the world university championship.

A third generation golfer, her grandfather Brian was the 2006 captain at Ryton.

In 2005 Scott was voted Freshman of the Year at Georgia State. Out of an intake of 12,000 she was number one in terms of combining sporting excellence with academic achievement.

LOOK out for a special feature on Hexham Golf Club in tomorrow’s Teeing Off column.