[O]ne of Carus Green golf club’s elite junior players has won the U16 European Young Masters in Norway. 15-year-old Kirkbie Kendal schoolgirl, Caitlin Whitehead, who plays off a handicap of +2, joined a field of female players from 27 European countries at Hauger Golfklubb, shooting a final round of 73 (+1) in a nail-biting finish to take the title. Two good rounds of 71 and 69 on the first and second days, stood Caitlin in good stead from the outset, and she finished three-under-par for a three-shot victory. Caitlin now joins a list of winners that include Suzann Petterson, Carlota Ciganda, Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello.
Despite extremely hot weather conditions, and wind adding to the challenge on the final day, Caitlin made eight birdies, an eagle and just seven bogeys across all three rounds, finishing with a total score of 213.
“It goes without saying that I’m delighted to have won this tournament,” says Caitlin, who hit 17 greens in regulation on the first round and 16 greens in regulation on the second round. “I was tied with Carolina Lopez-Chacarra at the 16th hole on the final day but relied on my putting and managed to birdie the 16th; I think at that point, I knew I was in with a good chance.”
This is the most significant win to date for Caitlin, whose form has been steady and consistent this season. Just last month, and as the youngest player in the field, she tied for eighth place at her very first international tournament at the U18 German Girls Open Championships at St Leon-Rot golf club.
“To win a major title at a high-level event such as this feels great. It’s the second successive year that England has won the individual Girls’ title too, so I’m very happy to have brought this home again.”
Following a short – and well-deserved – break, Caitlin will be playing at the Home International tournament in Ballybunion, Ireland, in August.
