PROMISING Port Macquarie golfer Ella Scaysbrook is a junior player on the rise.
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The 12-year-old claimed her first Jack Newton Junior Golf state title on July 20 when she held on to defeat Cronulla’s Sophia Perkins.
Ella was pushed all the way before she won by five shots despite her Cronulla counterpart’s challenge.
“I played four good rounds and won by five shots,” she said.
“I putted well and chipped well and drove pretty well.
“I base my game on Tiger Woods because when he was three he was playing off one; I’m playing off nine, but want to get it to scratch in two years.”
It was the culmination of years of hard work after the Port Macquarie youngster first picked up a club at the age of seven.
With the help of father Nick, the Scaysbrook’s have consistently travelled to Newcastle in the last 12 months to train and play tournaments.
“Ever since she first picked up a club she’s had a good athletic natural swing so it was a matter of her growing up and improving all the time which she is,” her father said.
Mr Scaysbrook admitted it was a surprise his daughter won so comfortably.
“She didn’t have a pressure putt on the last to win which is always good,” he said.
“I did think she could win, but you never know with golf, especially junior golf.
“The girls did put a lot of pressure on her during the last day so it was good to see her get through and get the win.”
Ella will now head to Bonville in December when she competes against the winners of other tournaments and eyes a champions trophy.
And what does she need to do better to give herself the best chance at achieving that result?
“I need to putt better,” she said.