YOUNG Robyn Bailey has played at the home of English and British golf but now she is on her way to one of the most legendary venues in the global game – Pinehurst, the home of American golf, writes Gary Baker.
And all of this at the tender age of just nine years old and within 18 months of taking up the sport.
Robyn, from Berkeley, played at St Andrews, which staged this year’s Open, on August Bank Holiday last year and has now come fourth in the first ever US Kids British Championships at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.
She came within five shots of the winner over the two rounds of the British Championships and that finish meant she qualified for a trip of a lifetime to play at Pinehurst in the US Kids World Championships.
Pinehurst was host to the 2014 US Open Championship, won by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, but, more significantly for Bailey, it also hosted the US Women’s Open last year which was won by legend Michelle Wie.
Bailey’s mother Heather said the family were extremely proud of their daughter’s achievements.
Heather said: “She is looking forward to going to the States. She cannot wait. The competition is not until next July but it is really good to see our little girl out there and making decisions on the golf course about the type of club to play and the manners and etiquette that goes with golf.
“For a youngster of her age, this is amazing.”
Bailey, who started playing golf in 2014, got the chance to play at St Andrews in Scotland just a few months after taking up the sport.
“We found out about a competition called Wee Wonders. Someone saw her and said she had a brilliant swing and so we decided to go for the competition. That was on August Bank Holiday last year – and now she is at the home of USA golf!”
Bailey is driving the ball over two hundred yards now which is a distance many adult club members would be happy to hit regularly.
Heather added: “This has become her way of life. It’s a real love for her.”
Anybody who would like to sponsor Bailey in her golf journey can contact Heather Bailey on 07775 872201.