Keech turns professional

Dorset golfer Sophie Keech is targeting a Ladies European tour card after deciding to turn professional on a hugely successful amateur career.

Sophie is currently playing by invite in the WPGA International Challenge, the final tournament of the Let Access Series , at Stoke-by-Nayland in Suffolk in what is her first event as a professional.

The 19-year-old, a member of Parkstone Golf Club will be heading to Morocco at the end of this month to take part in pre-qualifying for a place on the European Tour .

Coched by Millfield School’s Karen Nicholls, and managed by Tony Brinsley, Keech says: “After the English match play that I won on July my coach said I was ready to turn professional and I felt it was the right time to do it , I didn’t feel I had anything to lose.”

“I’d been an amateur for a while , finished this season second in the English rankings , and I always want to push myself , so now I am going to be a small fish in a big pond now!”

Keech is also looking for sponsorship as she bids to take her game to the next level.

She says: “If I get through pre-qalifying I have to go back in December for final tour qualifying. If that goes well then I will get a European tour card. If not then I’ll play on the LET Access tour next year.

“I’m very excited about the challenges ahead and fulfilling my ambition I’ve dreamt of from a young age. My dream is about to start!”