A LYMM High School pupil has forced her older counterparts to head for the practice green after becoming the youngest ever winner of a senior women’s competition at Sutton Hall Golf Club.

Bethany Hatcher, aged 11 from Grappenhall, had only played five full rounds of golf before taking on her more experienced counterparts in her first ever competition, but that did not stop the 36 handicapper recording a five-over-par net 78 to make club history.

It was the first time a female junior member had topped a senior competition at the Runcorn-based course and it came just 18 months after Bethany first picked up a club.

“Sutton Hall is a tough course, especially for ladies and juniors, so this is no mean feat,” said her dad Mark, himself a keen golfer and member at Sutton Hall.

“She had only played five full rounds of golf before winning the competition, as she did three full rounds in order to get her handicap and has been out twice with myself.

“It is a special achievement and I am very proud of her.”

It is certainly an ominous warning for her competition, senior or junior, at Sutton Hall, as this is likely just the start of her success considering her short time in the sport.

And as her dad points out, there will be more than one Hatcher for the Sutton Hall women to look out for in the near future as Bethany’s eight-year-old sister Zoe, a Thelwall Junior School pupil, is hot on her heels.

“I take both of my daughters out whenever we can. We have lessons every Thursday and in the summer we’ll go out in the evenings,” he said.

“It is good to start them young and considering Bethany has only been having lessons for the past 18 months, she can hit a mean drive.

“The other ladies better watch out!”