A MALVERN girl has achieved what most professionals can only wish for by scoring a hole-in-one at a prestigious junior golfing event.

This year’s US Kids Golf European Championship saw youngsters from eight different nations win championship titles and one also bore witness to three holes in ones made by three individual golfers.

Lucy Walton, from Malvern St James’ Girls’ School, was one of this talented trio and made her impressive shot on the Gullane number two, hole 13, from 106 yards.

The 10-year-old was competing in the tournament this year for the second season running and was excited to score her hole in one on the first day of play, inspiring her to go on and record the lowest girl’s score of 68.

Her father, Peter, who was her caddy and support at the event, said: “I was extremely excited when Lucy scored her hole in one and was probably more excited than she was.

“We couldn’t believe it when she made the shot.

“We even spent a few minutes looking for the ball before we realised it had landed in the hole.

“Everyone around us even her playing partners were congratulating her on her fantastic achievement.

“I don’t think Lucy really understands the immensity of what she achieved.

“We have explained to her that some golfers never achieve a hole-in-one, but I’m not sure she realises how rare this is.”

The remaining holes in ones were made by Kristjan Vojteh Berkelca, from Slovakia, in the boys’ under seven category on the Longniddry course hole 13 from 91 yards.

The other was by Lewis Reid in the boys’ age 12 category on the Craigielaw course, hole 10 from 133 yards.

The tournament saw around 500 players from more than 30 different nations compete over some of the world’s most historic golf courses.

The three-day event took place over Gullane number two, Gullane number three, Longniddry club and Craigielaw club, showcasing some of the best junior golfing talent.

The event, now in its third year, was organised by the US Kids Golf Foundation which aims to promote golf to young players and their families all over the world and was one of the largest golfing tournaments to take place this year.

Golfers from the age of six up to 18 competed in the three day event, with the winners from each age and gender category taking part in the Van Horn Cup, a showpiece event modelled on the Ryder Cup in which European players pitted it out against non-European players.

For the third year running the European team took the crown with an impressive 13-0 win.

Overall, Walton finished in fourth place and her mum Diane said: “Lucy would love to one day play golf professionally and it is tournament of such a high calibre as the US Kids Golf European Championship that gives her the competitive environment that is needed if proud of her.”

More information on the US Kids Golf Foundation, go to uskidsgolf.co.uk.