SOPHIE Keech from Axminster, who plays at Lyme Regis Golf Club, is celebrating after winning the English Schools Under-18 National Champion-ships in Lincolnshire.

The Year 10 pupil carded a 72 in her first round before breaking the course record with a 69 in her second round ending up five under for the Champ-ionship, two shots clear of the field.

The event is open to all schools in the country and Keech excelled in county and regional events to qualify.

Director of golf at Millfield School, Karen Nicholls, who is also Keech’s golf coach, said: “Sophie can be very proud of her performance.

“For a 15-year-old to win an event where some golfers are 18 is a fantastic accomplishment.

“This is the first time Millfield has had an English Schools Champion so it is a great achievement for Sophie and the school.”

Keech, whose handicap was reduced to one after her two rounds has been in sensational form this year. This is her best score to date and she will now represent England schools in August against Wales where she will have the honour of being Team Captain for her victory in Lincoln-shire.

Unfortunately, she will miss the international versus Scotland as this clashes with her qualification in the final of the Faldo Series in Ireland.