Jessica Hall will follow in the footsteps of Jodi Ewart-Shadoff and Ellie Givens when she heads to America for a golf scholarship.
The talented Bishop Auckland golfer heads for California State University, Fresno, which plays in the NCAA Division 1, this August.
Andy Newman, from United Sports USA Golf, signed Jessica to the company’s golf programme and was instrumental in her landing the scholarship at Fresno, much to the delight of her parents Graham and Carolynne.
Andy said: “Jess will join up with head coach Emily Loftin, who was delighted to have beaten around 25 other universities for her signature. She will join fellow United Sports USA golfers Alison Muirhead and Dominika Gradecka at Fresno.
“Over the next four years she will be representing the university all over America. This year, the team played in seven different states, competing against other top women’s golf programmes.
“Jessica has ambitions to play professional golf and the collegiate set up will prove the perfect environment for her to test herself against the best female golfers on the college tour.”
Jessica held a handicap of plus-three at one stage last season before finally settling at plus-two as she finished third at the Irish Girls Open Championship, in the top 10 at the English Girls Open Championship and fifth at the Faldo Series Final at Al Ain in the UAE.
She also won the Durham County Junior Championship at Brancepeth Castle setting a new course record and qualified to play in the Telegraph Junior Championship final in Portugal.
She also made it into the England Under 18 team and won the Critchley Salver at Sunningdale last season.
