No bar for Olivia

A total of 212 young golfers from a wide area applied for the potentially life-changing golf scholarship offered by a leading award-winning Leicestershire PGA professional Anders Mankert (above), head pro at Cosby GC.

It was won by Olivia Barrs (Lingdale), who celebrated her 14^th birthday just a few days after hearing she had been successful. She follows in the footsteps of two boys, Ryan Evans from Northants, who following his scholarship last year has become a full England amateur international, and 2012 recipient Chris Lager, who is now a fully-qualified PGA professional working at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.

Olivia is a member of the county girls’ squad and took up golf at the age of nine when her father, Martin bought her a club. Two years later, she became a junior member of Lingdale, where she now has a 16 handicap.

Mankert said: “I am looking forward to working with Olivia in an effort to help her to achieve her full potential in golf. With such a big entry for the scholarship, I looked through every application then gave the top 10 to my judging panel before making the final decision, which was not an easy one.

“We were all highly impressed by Olivia’s application and the backing she so clearly received from everyone at her club. Now I will provide her with a full 12-month coaching programme, as well as with any other help she may need, including equipment, fitness, preparation for playing tournaments and advice on diet and nutrition.

“She is extremely enthusiastic and prepared to work and practise hard to achieve her targets in the game.”