Royal Norwich teenager Rebecca Heeles shot to the top in county junior golf when she won the Norfolk girls' championship at Weston Park. The 14-year-old defeated the talented opposition of defending champion and county first team player, Tiffany Howie, and Norfolk schools champion Emma Davies, who both have single figure handicaps.

Royal Norwich teenager Rebecca Heeles shot to the top in county junior golf when she won the Norfolk girls' championship at Weston Park.

The 14-year-old defeated the talented opposition of defending champion and county first team player, Tiffany Howie, and Norfolk schools champion Emma Davies, who both have single figure handicaps.

“It was really good to win - but I didn't expect it,” said Rebecca, who returned a gross 82. She finished one shot clear of Tiffany, 17, (Sprowston Manor) and a further shot ahead of Emma, 15, (Eaton).

Rebecca (under 16 age group) and Tiffany (age 16-18) will now go forward to represent Norfolk in the Midlands Champion of Champions competition at Greetham Valley in September.

Rebecca held her nerve through a slow start to the competition, which was sponsored by Bush Property Management. She dropped a shot on each of the first five holes but she played the next 11 holes in only two over par, before again dropping shots on the last two holes.

“In the middle I played really well, especially with my approach shots,” said Rebecca. “The course was in lovely condition.”

Her win continues a run of impressive results in this competition. Rebecca has been the handicap winner for the part two years and in 2006 also claimed he U16 title, which she has successfully defended.

It's also helped her rapid progress in the handicap stakes. Last year she cut her handicap from 25 to 12. By the time she teed off in this competition she was down to 11, thanks to winning the Jubilee Cup at her club, and now she's down to 10.

Rebecca's next big date is the Abraham Trophy at Brickendon Grange, Hertfordshire, at the end of the month.

This is contested by England's most improved girl golfers, based on handicap reduction. She will then play in the English Girls U15 championship which immediately follows the Abraham. “I'm really up for it,” she said.

The Handicap Salver was won by Emily Anthony of Barnham Broom with an exceptional net 64, eight under par. Emily, who was playing off 36, was also successful in last year's junior girls' Autumn Shield competition at Dereham.

Rachel Drohan (King's Lynn), playing in the championship for the first time, took the second handicap prize with net 71 on countback from Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer). Fourth handicap prize was won by Sally Richards (Sheringham) with net 72.

The prize in the 30-plus handicap category, for those girls who did not feature in the any of the other prizes, went to Laura Gathercole of King's Lynn with a net 86. Nearest the pin on the 2nd hole was won by Tiffany Howie. The prizes were presented by Jackie Sewell of Bush Management.

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