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Golfer, 14, from Staffordshire wins amateur championship

Golfer, 14, from Staffordshire wins amateur championship

BBC News18-06-2025
A 14-year-old has become the youngest golfer to win the Staffordshire Amateur Championship.Alfie Turner from Trentham, near Stoke-on Trent, managed to shoot the course at Sandwell Park Golf Club in 66, the same as the course record and five under par.The teenage golfer has been playing golf since he was five years old, and by 12 was driving balls 230 yards.He now has his sights set on his future and wants to be the youngest ever to qualify for The Open Championship, held this July at Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The 14-year-old says he aims to be like Rory McIlroy and also has dreams of playing alongside him in the Ryder Cup.Speaking with BBC Radio Stoke he said: "When you've got people wanting you to do well it drives you to practice and not to give up when its going hard for you".The teenager practices every day before school, going to the driving range at 06:15 BST to do a full session, as well as the gym.When talking about what got him hooked on golf he said: "When you're hitting it [the ball] further than them [adults] and you are half their age, it's quite funny."Alfie's father, James Turner, often acts as caddy for his son and feels nervous on behalf of him."I can't show it [nerves] but golf is brutal," he said.Mr Turner also feels "immensely proud" of what his son has achieved. He added: "He's [Alfie] still really young...he proves it on the golf course that he can cope with playing against men."Alfie doesn't let the fact that he is competing with adults affect him."They try to get into my head, it doesn't work though."I think I'm going to have you here", he added.Alfie is now set to take part in regional qualifying at Enville in Stourbridge on Monday for The Open, where he will face 132 other competitors that will eventually be whittled down to a final eight.
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