GABRIELLA COWLEY WINS ENGLAND GIRLS' ORDER OF MERIT

Teenager Gabriella Cowley has capped a successful year by winning the England Golf girls’ order of merit, sponsored by the golf tour operator Lorrin Golf. The 17-year-old from Brocket Hall (image © Leaderboard Photography) climbed almost 500 places in the world rankings, qualified for the Ricoh Women’s British Open, won a top scratch event and played for both England girls’ and ladies’ teams during the year. “I am really happy to win the order of merit, it’s a big achievement and it means a lot,” said Gabriella, who thanked Lorrin Golf for their support. “I’ve worked very hard this year, both during last winter and through the playing season, and this shows that it’s paying off.” David Kelly, the managing director of Lorrin Golf, commented: “Lorrin Golf would like to congratulate Gabriella Cowley on her superb play throughout 2013. As winner of the England Golf girls' order of merit we wish Gabriella all the very best for her new challenges in 2014”. Gabriella topped the table ahead of British champion Georgia Hall of Dorset, while 14-year-old Sammy Fuller of Surrey took third place. Gabriella was also fifth in the ladies’ order of merit. Her highlight was playing in the British Open over the Old Course at St Andrews – and shooting four-under par in final qualifying to secure her place. She also won the Critchley Salver at Sunningdale, finished third in the English amateur and reached the last 16 in the British championship. She was a member of England’s winning team at the girls’ Home Internationals and represented GB&I in the Vagliano Trophy. Along the way she also achieved her ambition of getting her handicap to plus-four and almost broke into the top 100 in the world amateur rankings, having started the year at around 600th. “Next year is going to be even better,” said Gabriella, who has decided to remain amateur for the 2014 season. “I shall just work harder and hopefully win a few more titles!” Girls’ Order of Merit, sponsored by Lorrin Golf Leading final places: 1 Gabriella Cowley (Brocket Hall) 2 Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) 3 Samantha Fuller (Roehampton) 4 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 5 Sophie Keech (Lyme Regis) 6 Sophie Lamb  (Clitheroe) 7 Olivia Winning (Rotherham) 8 Bethan Popel (Long Ashton) 9 Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross)      10 Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth) For full details visit www.englandgolf.org/ladiesorderofmerit  .

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