Rosie Belsham won the girls’ Fairhaven Trophy in Lancashire, her first national title, in great style.
Rosie, the reigning Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions, set a number of personal firsts as she shot a 23 under-par total and recorded a 20 shot win over Darcey Harry of Wales at Fairhaven Golf Club.
In the boys’ event, Callum Macfie, from Lindrick in Yorkshire, birdied the last two holes to complete a two shot victory.
It’s the biggest win to date for Rosie, who had the added pleasure of beating par over 72 holes for the first time, and the vindication for making swing changes over the previous fortnight. The score beat the low score by a girl in the event by 11 shots, and was four better than the lowest score by a boy in the tournament’s history.
Playing against a par of 75, Rosie shot rounds of 70, 68, 69 and 70. Her seven under-par 68 is her lowest-ever score and, over the championship, she had four eagles. “I’m very pleased,” she said. “It’s my first win in a national event so I’m very happy.”
The 17-year-old decided to make significant swing changes recently and has worked hard on the range to groove them. “It really paid off,” she added.
“I knew my short game was in really good shape, I just didn’t have any expectation of my long game. But after the first round I was playing good!”
Rosie was also part of the winning England team at the event, which included George Leigh (Trevose, Cornwall) and Dominic Clemons (Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire).
Following the win, Rosie has been selected as one of the eight players who will represent England in the German Boys’ and Girls’ Open at St Leon-Rot. Callum will also represent England at the event.
