Teen Norfolk golfer makes history

By Melissa Rudd
Blast Reporter, BBC Norfolk

Heeles is the first Norfolk golfer to win a national schools title

A teenage golfer from Norfolk has become the first from the county to win a national schools title.

Rebecca Heeles, 15, won the English Schools Under-16 Championship, along with the second flight matchplay at the English Girls' Under-18 Championship.

The Thorpe House School pupil was also part of the the English Schools' team who were victorious over Wales.

"I am absolutely amazed I won the title, it was the first really good score I have ever put in," she said.

"I went to Durham for the English Girls' Championship and winning the second flight was something I really didn't expect," Heeles told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Heeles started playing golf at the age of seven and has been playing competitively for the last three years.

"My whole family has played and I have always been involved with golf," she added.

Heeles is currently studying for her GCSEs and will sit her exams next summer. As well as practising in the driving range she also does pilates and gym work as part of her training.

She admits that juggling golf, school work and a social life is sometimes difficult.

If I am confident I can make it as a golfer I will go for it English Schools Under-16 Champion Rebecca Heeles

"This year school will take prority but I will still be playing golf as much as I can and training at the weekends," she said.

"I get tons of support - my parents have paid for everything and take me all over the country. My friends and my school are also supportive and I am very thankful."

Her headteacher, Anne-Marie Sutcliffe, commented: "We are proud to acknowledge Rebecca's achievement, she is an inspiration to other girls in the school."

Heeles plans to stay on at school to study for her A-Levels but then hopes to follow a career path in golf.

"If I am confident that I can make it as a golfer I will go for it," she added.