Stevie steps up the Hunt for scholarship

Stevie Crozier-Hunt's dreams of earning a golf scholarship to America received a huge boost after the 10-year-old talent tasted Hampshire Schools' Championships success earlier this month.
Stevie Crozier-HuntStevie Crozier-Hunt
Stevie Crozier-Hunt

It was an achievement made all the more remarkable by the fact the youngster, who returned a net score of 67 to win the under-18s handicap category, was not initially invited to compete in the tournament.

Mum Lindsey Hunt heard news that the Cams Hall championship – aimed at secondary school students – was taking part and contacted competition organisers to ask for special dispensation so Crofton Hammond Junior School pupil Crozier-Hunt could enter.

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It was a request that was granted and the tournament’s youngest entrant showed exactly why she is so highly-rated at Gosport & Stokes Bay Golf Club by making light of her 34 handicap to claim an unlikely victory.

Hunt said: ‘For this competition, an email was sent out for senior-school children to compete – they overlooked the fact there is the odd junior-school pupil who has a handicap.

‘So I contacted the organisers and asked if there was any chance Stevie could enter the competition.

‘To be fair, they nearly bit my arm off and agreed that, if her school let her do it, then she would be welcome.

‘Crofton Hammond were so happy for her to represent them.

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‘She won the best net girls’ score at the age of 10, which was quite impressive because that was in the under-18s category and she was the youngest female competitor.

‘Stevie was over the moon to win it.

‘Her handicap has now dropped from 34 to 32.’

Crozier-Hunt hit three pars on the 18-hole course and has her sights set on pursuing her passion for golf overseas.

‘Stevie wants a scholarship to America – that is what she is aiming for,’ added Hunt.

‘She has already been head-hunted by Meon Valley Academy but decided to stay with her coach Kevin Maris.

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‘Wherever she plays, Kev turns up before she goes out and takes her in the nets and does a bit of training and putting with her and is 100-per-cent behind her.

‘But there are other girls from Hampshire Academy, who she plays for that have been given scholarships to America and that is what Stevie wants to do – that is her dream.

‘Charley Hull is her inspiration – she has got all of her posters on the wall.

‘We are already saving for her to go!’

– JEFF MARSHMAN