Open invitation is par-fect for a flowering Rosie
JUNIOR GOLF
A WHITLEY Bay golf prospect had St Andrews off to a tee after being invited to compete in the prestigious Junior Golf Open.
Rosie Belsham, 16, who has just finished her studies at Whitley Bay High School, was in action over the three days at the home of golf.
The youngster was one of 140 competitors – finishing in 11th place out of 70 female competitors and ending up just one shot away from sixth spot.
She secured 37th place out of 140 in the full competition.
Belsham said: “The Junior Open was an amazing experience where all of the players were treated like professionals.
“American star Jordan Spieth ran the opening ceremony and he presented each player with a competitor’s medal.
“The Open was pretty special, my best experience in golf so far.
“It was great to test myself against so many good players on such a tough course.
“We all stayed together in the halls of residence at St Andrews University so I got to know loads of the players.
“After the competition finished the R and A took us to The Open at Carnoustie where we had a tour of the media and warm-up facilities and were able to meet some of the players.”
Belsham’s success in Scotland led to her being selected to represent England Under-16s in the European Young Masters in Oslo, Norway.
The event featured 27 countries with teams of two boys and girls competing for the title. Alongside the individual competitions, there were team events with the three best scores from each of the three days of competition counting towards the team score.
England just missed out on bronze despite being in pole position Jordan Spieth until the final two holes of the competition, when Germany edged past them.
Belsham added: “To follow up a visit to St Andrews with my first international trip with England in Oslo has made this an amazing summer and made all of the hard work over the winter worthwhile.
“I followed Oslo with two national competitions in Devon which meant four weeks away from home playing golf.
“By the English Under-16s I was feeling pretty mentally exhausted and I think my performance suffered as a result.
“However, I have loved every minute and I am determined to work even harder this off-season to push for more success next year.”
Belsham is next in action on Tuesday, having been selected to represent England in a match against Switzerland Under-16s at Pannal GC in Yorkshire.
She will compete in a team alongside three other female players who include Northumberland golfer Jess Baker, who plays at Gosforth Park Ladies GC.
Belsham has enjoyed had a string of top-ten finishes in her burgeoning golf career - including second place in the Scottish Girls’ Championship
The youngster has been involved in golf from the age of seven and has been Northumberland junior champion for the past three years, in addition to winning the Ladies’ County Championship in 2017.