A STUDENT from Mid Cheshire College has been crowned Cheshire Ladies County Champion.
Kate Whitmore, 19, who plays at Sandiway Golf Club, Northwich, is studying for a national diploma in sport and exercise.
She secured victory after beating top players from Sale and Prestbury, as well as team-mate and former county champion Stephanie Farrer at Royal Liverpool.
Kate, of Sandiway, said: “I am usually a good putter but in the tournament the week before the county championship I had a rubbish second round and my putting was not great.
“Putting is a confidence thing. Once you hole a few it helps and while I would not say I expected them to go in – because then you can feel let down – I did get to the stage where I became disappointed if I missed one.
“My putting was on song during the championship.”
Kate, who has a handicap of one, has been playing the sport since she was 10 years old.
She added: “I saw a poster at my primary school offering a golf lesson with local professional Pete Gardner. I was hooked immediately.
“I hope to turn professional one day but I do see the importance of having a good education to fall back on.
“The college has been very supportive and a lot of the knowledge I have through playing golf has helped me on the theory side of things.”
The young golfer is hoping to continue her education after college at the University of Newport where she has secured a golf scholarship.
Kate will now play in a five-day championship at the Northern County Match Week on June 22 where she will lead the Cheshire team against Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland.
