Thalia is on course to turn pro after a cracking season

Golf - Milton member plays off a plus two handicap

Milton Golf Club’s two-time Northamptonshire Ladies Amateur champion Thalia Martin is ready to turn professional in time for the 2021 season.

Martin, who added the 2020 County title to the 2016 crown with a course record 65 at Collingtree Park last month, is aiming to compete in the European Tour Qualifying School at the start of the year.

Martin said: “I’m trying to prep myself for three months before the 2021 season starts soI’mworkingwiththepeople at Milton to get me ready for a professional campaign.

“It’s just a question of when I’m going to change my status fromamateurtoprofessional.

“I’m l ooking to go to Q School and try to get the highest possible category, and join the LET Access Series, and hopefully progress at those tour events around Europe, and see where it takes me.”

The 22-year-old has endured a reduced playing schedule this year due to the pandemic, but she has still enjoyed the best season of her amateur career.

After back-to-back wins at university, she made the knockout stages of the Women’s English Amateur and British Women’s Amateur Championships, where she was clubhouse leader after the first round, only for it to be voided due to high winds.

Martin, whose handicap improvedfromscratchtoplus two during this period, said: “We had major plans for the British Universities event. I was second in the Order of Merit, so I was going for the win. I waslookingtoclimb the rankings by playing in the big amateur competitions .

“We were fortunate we managed to play three events in the space of a few weeks - butthat wasnowhereasmany as we had planned, so I was a bit distraught at that. But I still had a good season, which made me realise I have the capabilities to compete.

“I’m now looking for sponsors, contacts and guidance, especially with the current circumstances. I need a team around me - that’s now the main target.”

Anyone able to help Thanlia should e-mail mrssittmartin@gmail.com or call 07808 233248 or 01780 784023.

Thalia Martin