WEYDON School student Lottie Woad, aged 13, has been selected for the England under-16 girls golf squad (south region).

Lottie is one of just six girls from across the South to earn a place in the squad, following a shortlisting process and a selection day at Burhill Golf Club.

The squad is the first rung on the ladder of England Golf’s national elite coaching structure.

The players will train over the winter months with a mix of group coaching, matches and one-to-one sessions with their coaches, together with a week’s warm weather training in the Algarve in February 2018.

The aim of the Regional Squads is to give talented young players the best golf development experience available.

The players are expected to commit themselves to a programme of golf coaching and physical training that is aimed to set them up for life.

Lottie follows in the footstep of players such as 2016 US Masters Champion Danny Willett and the former world number two amateur, and now LPGA professional, Bronte Law, who both came through the England Regional Squad system.

Lottie, a member of Farnham Golf Club in The Sands where she is coached by the club professional Luke Bone, won the Abraham Trophy in August to earn the title of England’s Most Improved Girl Golfer 2017.

Karl Brown, Weydon School’s curriculum area leader for PE, said: “Lottie’s achievement in this sport is incredible. Her practising and commitment is paying off and we wish her all the best of luck for the future.”