Barnard Castle golfer, 11, qualifies for World Championship

Olivia Harland from Barnard Castle qualified for the Uswing Mojing Junior World Championship after winning a national competition at the home of the Professional Golfers’ Association, The Belfry, last year.

After getting coaching from Aaron Cox at Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Olivia began playing in tournament and over the last two years has progressed from playing in County Durham competitions to winning a national qualifier for a worldwide final.

“I enjoy doing competitions,” the world finalist said.

(Image: Caroline Harland) “They’ve gone quite well and I’ve been bringing my handicap down.”

Olivia won the national qualifier at The Belfry, the home of the PGA, by three shots meaning she will head to California as the UK’s representative at the Junior World finals.

“I’m very excited to go,” she said.

“It’s not every day you get to go to California to play in an international final!

“I was very shocked that I was going to be able to play in America.”

(Image: Caroline Harland) She started playing golf five years ago after her ‘Gramps’, Robert Manners, took her to local courses. 

(Image: Caroline Harland) “I was just generally interested in it,” Olivia said.

“My grandad got my into it.”

(Image: Caroline Harland) Mum Caroline Harland, aged 44, spoke of her ‘pride’ in her daughter’s emerging golf career and hopes she may be able to fulfil her dream of securing a golfing scholarship in the future – with scouts attending the global finals.

Caroline has launched a fundraising page on Go Fund Me to help cover some of the costs of getting to California.

“She works really hard at it, she has coaching three or four times a week.

“Her grandad is proud as anything.”

(Image: Olivia Harland) Caroline is a teacher and has had to negotiate time off to take Olivia to the US to play in the competition, which is held at Torrey Pines Golf Club – host of two US Open championships this century.

“It’s not the cheapest sport to play,” Caroline said.

“We’ve been having to save up, even the entry fee is $500.”

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“It’s not something that we have done before, it’s a bit different to what we’d normally do. 

The family has raised £750 since setting up the page this week, and are hoping that local businesses might be able to sponsor Olivia’s trip.

The Junior World Championship will take place on July 5-10.