Bianca in Liverpool for The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy
The South African girls’ champion golfer, 14-year old Bianca Theron departed on Saturday for Liverpool in England having been invited to participate in the 54-hole Duke of York Young Champions Trophy being played at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club from 13 to 15 September.
Bianca received this invitation after she had won the Nomads South African Girls Championship at Orkney Golf Club in June. She is currently ranked fourth in the South African junior ranking and 15th on the SA women’s senior amateur ranking.
Starting golf at the age of 10 at Kuils River golf club in the Western Cape, Bianca advanced during these four years from beginner to her current handicap of 1. She is in grade nine at Stellenberg High School in Bellville.
Also invited to this prestigious junior event were Haydn Porteous (Boys All Africa Champion and Stefan Cronje (SA Boys Champion).
The invitations to the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy are to the 2011 Under 18 Championship winners – and there are players from South America to Japan – 56 girls and boys in total.
This is the 10th Anniversary of the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy. Ten years ago, the field comprised 11 players from 6 countries, whereas this year 56 Junior Champions from 31 countries with handicaps averaging +1.5 have been invited. Since its inception in 2001, the event has grown in stature and reputation internationally and offers a unique opportunity for under-18 boy and girl champions from around the world to compete for the same trophy whilst experiencing the challenges of a top UK links course.
Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, an Open Championship links, will provide a stern test of golf. It has hosted many major championships, both professional and amateur, since it was founded in 1869. It hosted the first Amateur Championship in 1885 and had arguably the best collection of golf memorabilia outside St Andrews. It has hosted eleven Open Championships and The Open will return there in 2014. As one of the most difficult tests of golf, requiring courage, confidence and solid ball striking, the often wind-blown fairways make good scoring very tough indeed and will provide the Junior Champions with invaluable experience.
Players were permitted to ‘walk the course’ (but not play) yesterday (Sunday) and today the players participate in the official practice round.
The players are chaperoned by WGSA President Cynthia Rayner.
