Age is no barrier to young golf prodigy

Golding, who plays out of Brocton Hall Golf Club, came within two shots of winning the England Golf Grand Medal Final, which took place at Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire.

The Blessed William Howard School pupil, who was the youngest player at the finals, had already made waves in the competition when she became the youngest qualifier in the country back in May.

Golding, who began the competition with a handicap of 14.5, came third in the North Midlands Qualifier at Rotherley Park in Leicestershire on that occasion, earning her a shot at the national prize.

A significantly more experienced 60-strong field stood in her way at Frilford Heath, but Golding showed no signs of being overawed as she holed a four-under-par net total of 69.

That superb effort, which included nine pars from 18 holes, saw her finish just two shots behind Stephanie Marshall of Birchwood Park in Dartford – who plays off a handicap of five – on the leaderboard.

Hannah's delighted father John said: "That is probably her best ever result so far. It is just fantastic that she performed so well against that sort of field.

"Quite a few of the ladies she was playing against were low handicappers but it doesn't really phase her too much playing against adults.

"She just takes it in her stride, she goes out there and does her best. It was a brilliant day, she really enjoyed the whole experience and played really well.

"Hannah played really positively right from the start, making par on the opening two holes.

"She drove well on every hole, hitting great shots with her fairway wood and finishing each hole with some good, solid chipping and putting."

He added that Golding's preparation for the competition, which included a practice round at Frilford Heath the day before the final started, had proved invaluable.

He said: "The benefit of getting a feel of the course during the practice round on the previous day resulted in Hannah making nine pars during the round in conjunction with some really thoughtful play."

Golding's superb showing at the tournament has seen her handicap fall from 14.5 down to 13. She added: "It was really fun. I like playing different courses.

"I just tried to keep my focus and tried to make pars. It was a brilliant day. The course was in great condition and I probably played the best I've ever done.

"To finish with two pars, particularly on the tricky ninth par three with a great chip and downhill putt, was really pleasing."

The Grand Medal Final was contested by the cream of England's club medal players.

Each finalist had returned the four best medal scores at her club during 2014 and had won through a regional final to take her place at Frilford Heath.

Brocton Hall's junior organiser Christine Davies said: "No words can express how proud we are of her."

Golding, who took up the sport five years ago, is building a fine reputation within the game despite her young age.

She has been involved in the Staffordshire county junior set up for more than two years and is currently in the junior squad's second-team.

She is aiming to move up into the first team and won the nett trophy at the Staffordshire Girls Championship at Trentham Golf Club in April.

But Hannah is hoping to compete on an even bigger stage in the future and is keen to follow in the footsteps of decorated women's professional Charley Hull.

The Kettering-born star is currently playing on the Ladies European Tour and Golding, who also plans to go pro eventually, one day hopes to reach the same level.