Champ Luke heading for Tiger territory
GOLF DEREK CROPPER EIGHTEEN year old Luke Bartram from Ramsbottom, who became the Lancashire Amateur Champion a fortnight ago, will leave for America in August to study in the town where Tiger Woods was born and play on the course where Tiger started his golf.
Luke, who is a member of Rossendale Golf club plays off a plus one handicap. He is the first member in Rossendale’s 100 year history to win the prestigious Lancashire Championship.
Luke will take up his golf studies at Cypress College, California. Cypress is where Tiger Woods was born.
He will play and study the game on the Navy Course where Tiger had his early tuition.
Luke also has another close link to a leading professional golfer. When the Lancashire Amateur Championships was last played at Formby in 2008 it was won by Tommy Fleetwood, now number 18 in the world and teeing up with Tiger in the US Open this week at Pebble Beach.
Luke won the Lancashire title with rounds of 73,73, 73, 70 for a total one over par despite high winds and squalls of heavy rain on the final day
Formby is one of Luke’s favourite links courses. “It’s always challenging with narrow fairways but was in immaculate condition” he says.
“Golf is a fantastic sport which teaches you a lot about coping under pressure and how to deal with success and disappointments. I’m hoping my American training will build up on these things which my coach Sam Wilson has already done great work preparing me for.”
Luke has an impressive record. Previously a member of the England Golf Junior North West Regional Training Squad and County representation at all age groups in the Lancashire Junior and Men’s teams.
He also won the Faldo North of England Championships at Moortown Golf Club last year to qualify for the Abu Dhabi Grand Final which was run and hosted by Sir Nick.
When asked about turning professional Luke said: “It’s still early days yet, attending College in America will be a life changing experience that will prepare me for the years ahead and impact my life in ways I am yet to realise.
“In the immediate term I’m looking forward to becoming a good asset and ambassador for my college and being able to play year round competitive golf.”