Royal Norwich teenager Rebecca Heeles is bidding for the title of England's most improved girl golfer. Rebecca, 14, has qualified for the final of the Abraham Trophy, which will be contested by the 20 girls who have recorded the biggest handicap reductions in England.

Royal Norwich teenager Rebecca Heeles is bidding for the title of England's most improved girl golfer.

Rebecca, 14, has qualified for the final of the Abraham Trophy, which will be contested by the 20 girls who have recorded the biggest handicap reductions in England.

They will play off at Brickendon Grange in Hertfordshire in July, on the practice day for the English girls' U13 and U15 championships, which are also taking place on the course.

Rebecca will also be playing in the U15 championship for the first time.

She claimed her place in the Abraham Trophy field with a remarkable set of six scores, recorded in the 12 months up to the end of April.

Rebecca's average was 6.5 shots below the standard scratch - and it's the second best qualifying score in the country.

“She's really looking forward to this,” remarked her mother, Sue Heeles.

If Rebecca wins she will follow in illustrious Norfolk footsteps. The Abraham Trophy has been previously held by Tracey Williamson of Royal Cromer and Donna Fidler of Great Yarmouth & Caister.

Rebecca's achievements of the past year - which saw her cut from 25 to 12 - have already won her the first Norfolk girls' Handicap Challenge.

The competition was launched on the junior pages of the Norfolk ladies' website - www.norfolk ladiesgolf.co.uk - to recognise the achievements of the county's improving youngsters and to encourage them to come down further.

Rebecca amassed 13 trophies as she chopped the 13 strokes off her handicap, playing in competitions both at home and on away courses.

Her honours included winning the Norfolk girls' U16 and handicap championships and she teamed up with county player Sammy Martin to win the inaugural Norfolk junior/adult foursomes knockout.

In addition she was part of the Norfolk girls' team which won through to the midlands' matchplay finals, she twice played in friendly matches for the Norfolk ladies' second team, and she represented Royal Norwich in one of their league teams.

This year she's made her debut in the Norfolk ladies' championship and was close to qualifying for the matchplay stages.

t Have you got a golf story to tell? Contact Lyndsey Hewison by telephone or fax on 01603 507416 or email her at lyndsey. hewison@ tiscali.co.uk