Kennedy on course for a dream round
CLARE Kennedy from Prudhoe Golf Club is one step closer to a round of a lifetime with a European Tour star.
The Northumberland player won through a regional final of the Bridgestone Chase Your Dream Trophy, run in partnership with England Golf.
Kennedy kept alive her hopes of a place in the pro-am of the British Masters when she qualified at North Richmond Golf Club.
She will now head to England Golf Week in August at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire for the Trophy’s national finals.
The top players there will play in the pro-am of the Bridgestone Challenge and the winning team there will secure a date at the British Masters.
It is a journey which is already capturing the imaginations of thousands of amateur golfers in clubs affiliated to England Golf, just as it did in its inaugural year 12 months ago.
Last year, the three overall winners partnered Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts at the pro-am of the British Masters at Close House in Northumberland.
Kennedy, who scored a net 73 in qualifying on the Yorkshire course, never expected to get this far.
She said: “I don’t think I have ever played golf that well before.
“The whole experience has just been absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait for Frilford now.
“I will take my husband to caddy for me again.
“Hopefully he will be as lucky for me as he was at Richmond.”
The 23-handicapper only started golf again two years ago, due to becoming a full-time carer for her disabled sons – and says golf has changed her life.
She said: “This sport has made me a different person. I have met new people and lost three stone.
“It has been a real lifeline for me and I hope it continues all the way to the British Masters.”