CHARLEY HULL TO TURN PRO AT END OF YEAR

               CHARLEY HULL IN ACTION AT THE CURTIS CUP IN JUNE
                              Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By ALISTAIR TAIT
Curtis Cup star Charley Hull plans to turn professional at the end of this year. The 16-year-old will try for her Ladies European Tour card in December, and hopes to play the Euro circuit in 2013.
Hull finished T-18 in the ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters on Aug. 18, played at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club. Rounds of 70, 74 and 71 gave her a 54-hole total of 215.
She finished six shots behind winner Lydia Hall of Wales. Hull then revealed that she will attend LET Qualifying School, to be played in Morocco in December.
The English girl was making her fourth appearance in a professional tournament this year. She has made the cut every time. Hull was T-38 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship at the start of the season. 
She was fifth in the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open and 18th in the Ladies Irish Open before her recent outing amongst the pros.
Hull was one of three Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup players in the field along with Amy Boulden and Holly Clyburn, but was the only one to make the cut. She played alongside Solheim Cup player Mel Reid and LET Order of Merit leader Carly Booth in the opening two rounds, and was one shot better than both players over the 36 holes.
“She’s a very good player, very talented,” Reid said. “The thing that really impressed me the most was her attitude. I didn’t expect her to be as together as she was. She’s a very together girl, very grounded.”
Hull will try to qualify Sept. 10 for the Ricoh Women's British Open at Caldy Golf Club. Her last amateur event could be the World Amateur Team Championship in Turkey if she is selected to play for England. Then she will concentrate on getting ready to turn professional.
“I definitely feel ready,” Hull said. “I’ve felt comfortable in all four professional tournaments I’ve played this year. I’ve played well in all of them.
“It was a great experience playing with Mel and Carly the first two rounds. Our games were pretty similar, but I learned a lot from playing with them. I like the way they keep calm even when they hit a bad shot.
“I’ve learned a lot from every pro tournament I’ve played in this year. Hopefully it will help next year if I get my tour card.”

Hull can enter the LET Q-School as an amateur and retain her amateur status even if she doesn’t get a card. As a 16-year-old, she is technically ineligible to play on the LET (players must be 18). However, Booth turned professional and played on the LET when she was 17. 

The LET is unlikely to deny one of England’s up-and-coming stars the chance to play professionally. Besides, one official who didn’t wish to be named, told Golfweek that Hull would be allowed to compete on the LET next year if she earns a card at Q-School.
She certainly has Reid’s endorsement.
“If she feels she’s ready, then she’s ready,” Reid said. “I don’t think there is any problem with her turning pro at the age she is. She’s a good player, and I think she’s going to do well.”