Sixth former Nicola S enjoyed the experience of her first international golf match this summer, when she played for England in a successful competition against Wales at the Sherwood Forest Golf Club in Nottingham.  She was selected for the England team after finishing 8th in the National Final in Peterborough, which was a 36-hole competition.  Of the schools’ international match she said: “I was extremely happy to have come back from two down with four holes to play to achieve a respectable half against my Welsh opponent. My half also guaranteed that England retained the trophy and the team eventually won 9½ points to 8½.”

Nicola has been playing golf regularly since the age of ten, when she played with a handicap of 43. She reduced this handicap to ten when she was thirteen and was then offered a place in the South East England U-16 training squad. She said: “I have just finished my third year and my handicap is now four, so I believe this has helped to improve my performance. Each year consisted of 20 days of coaching as well as matches against other England regions.  Most of my weekends are taken up by playing in golf competitions all across England and I really enjoy playing in different national events.”

In April, Nicola represented Highsted in the Kent Schools’ Division I championship. After finishing 3rd she qualified for the South of England championship and then went on to qualify for the national final in Peterborough. Nicola is currently studying for A-levels in biology, chemistry, geography and history, and plans to go on after completing these next year to a four-year golf scholarship in America, which includes gaining a degree in her chosen subject: she is currently deciding between marine biology, history and geography.

Nicola (front row, second from left) with the England team.