Jamie-Leigh, 14, wins English Schools Championship
Leicestershire 14-year-old Jamie-Leigh Voss won the English Schools Championship at the Kendleshire, Bristol, – helped by a new course record of five-under par 67.
She was three shots clear of the runner-up, England girl international Holly Clyburn, from Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. Holly, 17, is a member of the English Women’s Golf Association Futures U18 Squad.
Suffolk’s Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) was third and, like Holly, shot thee-under par in the second round. Heidi, 14, from EWGA’s Select Midlands Squad is the English U15 champion and has been selected for England’s team for the Girls’ International Matches.
Among the other players in the top ten were three more members of EWGA squads: Yorkshire’s Sophie Godley, 14, (Lindrick) was sixth, one place ahead of English women’s champion and defending titleholder Hannah Barwood, 17, of Knowle, Gloucestershire. Warwickshire’s Elizabeth Mallett – who is the English U16 schools’ champion – was ninth. Elizabeth, 13, plays at Sutton Coldfield Ladies’
Jamie-Leigh, from Kirby Muxloe, took the title with scores of 74 and five-under 67, which shaved a shot off the old record.
Her afternoon round included an eagle, four birdies and just one bogey - and she has reduced her handicap to plus-one.
Her father, Jamie, commented: “She is over the moon and she wants to say a big thank you to her coach, Steve Cooper of Gainsborough.”
Already this season, Jamie-Leigh has qualified for the matchplay stages of the English championship and won the Leicestershire championship. She also helped her team reach the finals of the English county golf championship.
Now, she will captain the girls’ teams in the annual schools’ internationals against Wales in August and Scotland in September.
England v Wales – Jamie-Leigh Voss (captain), Holly Clyburn, Elizabeth Mallett, plus one player to be selected at the English Schools U16 championship on July 14. Reserve: Hannah Barwood.
England v Scotland – Jamie-Leigh Voss (captain), Holly Clyburn, Heidi Baek, Emilee Taylor, Katherine O’Connor, Sophie Godley. Reserves: Hannah Barwood, Elizabeth Mallett.
