Charlotte's Big Win

Sep 4 2008 The Journal

Rising North East star Charlotte Hindmoor became England's most improved girl golfer when she scored a narrow victory in the final of the Abraham Trophy at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club. The 14-year-old from Blackwell Grange GC in Darlington beat two other competitors on countback after all three girls tied on net scores of three-under 71 when Ramside staged the England Girls Under-15 and Under-13 championships.

Charlotte won by virtue of her last six holes, which she played in one-over par gross. The runner-up was Alice Lowe (Chevin) while Rosie Mist (Hayling) was third.

The final was contested by 21 players who qualified on the basis of handicap reduction. Charlotte has come down over the past year from 24 to 11 and is now looking forward to another cut.

The Polam Hall School pupil said: "I was really determined to win - but I'm in a bit of a state of shock. I didn't realize how well I was doing until I reached the 15th, which is well known as a potential card wrecker.

"I got through there in a one over four and thought 'Right, I'm just going to go for it now'. I managed par at the last three holes and that was good enough. I'm just delighted to have won; it's brilliant.

"I have played at Ramside several times so I know the course pretty well - and I know a lot of the members too."

Charlotte, who lives in Darlington, has been playing golf since she was six when grandad Bill Teasdale, a member at Castle Eden, bought her a set of clubs.

Charlotte added: "I took to golf straight away. I began on the driving range at Knotty Hill, then had some lessons from David Skiffington at Bishop Auckland which really helped me on my way.

"I played with grandad and his friend at castle Eden and he used to beat me but not any more.

"After that I joined Blackwell Grange and became good friends with Ellie Givens, who has been a real inspiration to me."

Ellie, one of the top girls in the UK, is now at college in the US and Charlotte is aiming to follow in her footsteps.

She said: "I'd really like to go on a golfing scholarship to the US and I am certainly thinking seriously about a career in golf. Ellie is a fantastic role model and it would be brilliant to follow in her footsteps."

Charlotte also teed up in the English Girls' U-15 championship but just failed to make the cut for the final two rounds.