Bethany Aceys’s huge handicap fall proves a big hit (From York Press)

Bethany Aceys’s huge handicap fall proves a big hit

11:24am Saturday 21st July 2012 in Sport By Tony Kelly, Deputy sports editor

Sandburn Hall Golf Club’s junior captain Bethany Acey has been recognised as one of England’s top teen prospects.

The 15-year-old Acey and another Yorkshire talent, Kirsty Beckwith of Moortown GC, have reached the national final of the Abraham Trophy.

The event, which precedes the English girls’ under-13 and U15 championships played on the same course, is for England’s most improved girl golfers of the past year.

Acey and Beckwith will join 19 other finalists to contest the England title at Delamere Forest GC in Cheshire on Sunday, July 29.

Each of the 21 girls have qualified for the final on the basis of handicap reduction – Acey’s handicap was trimmed from 13 to six in the past year. Currently she is playing off 5.5.

The former Huntington School pupil – she and her family have recently moved to Sheffield – is coached by Sandburn Hall GC head professional Steve Robinson and she is currently a member of the England Birdie Group.

Said her delighted dad Gary Acey: “She is looking forward to the Abraham Trophy and also taking part in the English girls’ U15 championship, which follows straight afterwards.

“She did not think she had come down enough in her handicap, but to get to the Abraham Trophy shows the progress she made over the last year.”

The talented Acey faces several more tests after the Abraham Trophy and English girls’ championships in Cheshire.

She qualified this week for the Yorkshire Schools’ championship finals and later in the summer heads for the St Andrew’s home of golf to compete in the national Under-21 championships.

Acey, who is pictured right in action in Portugal, will be journeying to the Continent in the bid for more success when she tackles the Minorcan Open.