AN 11-YEAR-OLD golf prodigy from Barnard Castle has qualified for the Young World Golf Final in America this summer.
Olivia Harland was invited to the San Diego tournament after winning the Faldo Futures Final at the Belfry last year.
Now her family have launched a fundraising drive to help pay for the £2,400 trip.
The youngster began playing the sport at the age of five and was inspired by her golf-loving grandfather Robert Manners and older brother Freddie Harland who also plays.
She said: “I started playing in competitions at Blackwell on the junior course right from the start and moved on to the main course once I got a handicap two years ago.
“I then started playing more junior competitions but the Faldo futures was the first competition that I played outside of my home club at Blackwell.”
Olivia is also part of an elite development squad run by coach Aaron Cox and spends three to four hours a week at coaching, along with a few hours of fitness training. Each week she plays one to two full rounds of golf.
She aims to be a professional and hopes to earn a golf scholarship in America.
Olivia qualified for the Faldo Futures Final after an initial competition at Blackwell Grange which allowed her to progress to the regional final at Matfen Hall.
The golfer, who also enjoys playing hockey and netball, said: “I came second in this round and got through to the national final at the Belfry. I went into the final just not wanting to come last so it was a big surprise when I actually won it.
“It was the best feeling – I couldn’t believe it! I knew I’d played well but didn’t know I’d won until they put the names up on the leader board.”
Her mum Caroline said: “I am so proud of how hard Olivia works at her golf and her positive mindset on the course. She enjoys playing and has fun which is the main thing.”
People can support Olivia’s trip by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/olivias-california-junior-world-final.
