CHARLOTTE AUSTWICK is North Yorkshire's newest professional golfer.

The 24-year-old has shed her amateur status as she prepares to make a run at qualifying for the Ladies European Tour in Morocco at the end of this month.

Tadcaster-based Austwick, who is coached by Easingwold professional Alastair Grindlay, will bid to make her mark on both the LET main and Access Series over the next year as she bids to become a success.

She must first come through pre-qualifying at the Mohammedia Golf Club to get through to final qualifying in December at either the Amelkis GC or Samanah County Club.

"I am excited about it," she said."All the registration has been completed this week and it is now official. The 'A' has been removed from next to my name and it is really happening. I have played in some professional events before - LET Access events - and now I am just building up to Morocco.

"Alastair and I have had a six week plan worked out and I am refreshed and ready to go."

Austwick's 2015 campaign brought early victories in the Sunningdale Foursomes and the Whittington Scratch and also saw her finish runner-up in the Porters Park Trophy.

The former World University Golf Championship player dreams of competing in a full Ladies European Tour event but, if she fails to pick up her card, is hopeful of progressing far enough through qualifying to to gain a place on the Access Tour.

She added: "I am just playing steady golf and trying to keep doubles and silly numbers off the card. I have been looking at results in previous years and that's all it takes - certainly to get through to the final stage. Pre-qualifying is about keeping the game simple.

"If you get through to the final stage, you are pretty much guaranteed a place on the Access tour."

Austwick continued: "I know it is going to be tough. Even for the girls that made it through final qualifying last year, they have struggled to get a lot of starts on the main tour.

"(But) it's time to give myself a shot at it. I look around and see people living the dream and I have played golf with them.

"If they can do it, there is no reason - with the hard work I put in - that I can't as well."

Austwick is appealing for various levels of sponsorship as she bids to establish herself in the paid ranks.

Any businesses looking to assist her, or have their company logo embroidered on her golf bag or clothing, can email Austwick on caustwick@hotmail.co.uk