Golfer Charlotte Leathem can’t stop celebrating – even though her 16th birthday was a month ago.

She broke course records at Wilmslow and Styal, where she also grabbed a hole in one.

The Wilmslow High School pupil, who plays off scratch and has ambitions to be a professional, said: "I look up to Lee Westwood and Dave Horsey [also a member at Styal].

"I saw the Open on TV and kept looking out for tips. Hopefully women’s golf will get even bigger, although it is on TV and in the newspapers quite a lot already. I practice five times a week, have specialist physio and now I am 16 I can join the gym."

Charlotte, who lives in Heald Green, had only just started primary school when proud parents Andrew and Hazel bought her junior-sized golf clubs – and she’s now on the verge of national recognition.

Dad Andrew, who is a former captain at Styal, said: "She’s absolutely dedicated, taking everything in her stride.

"She has distance, accuracy and was able to beat me when she was 13.

"It was around that time that club pros and others were telling me they had seen her on the driving range and that they thought she had something, certainly in her swing."

Charlotte missed out on a luxury holiday and a £5,000 cash prize by 24 hours in that her first hole in one came not on the Styal captain’s day but on the 15th green at the ladies competion the day after.

Next up at Wilmslow in the Lady Captain’s open day she went eight under par to shatter the ladies course record with a 66 – five better than the existing record of 71.

She had barely stopped smiling before she teed off at Styal in another ladies competition and she went round in 68 – one under her own record.

Charlotte plays in the English under-18s Championships at Ellesborough this week, which will be followed by the English Women’s Open Amateur Championships at Alwoody, near Leeds.

THERE is a great opportunity for people to get involved in golf as a family, couples or singles at Shrigley Hall Golf Club on Sunday August 7. The event is free of charge and participants will get free tuition on the range and free use of the facilities.