A FORMER Skipton High School pupil will be putting on the style in the United States when she starts a golfing university scholarship next year.

Former Skipton Girls' High School pupil and member of Skipton Golf Club Lucy Eaton will be jetting off to the sunnier climes of Florida and joining students at the state's Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

The 18-year-old, of Raikeswood Road, is currently on a gap year and is looking forward to combining her golf with academic studies. As well as sporting studies, the Florida institute specialises in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Lucy studied maths, history and psychology at A level, but does not have to choose her academic "major" until her second year.

She told the Craven Herald: "The course is for four years and I am very excited about it all, but especially about being able to play golf in the sun for almost all the year - you just don't get that chance in this country. "

Her parents, Jeremy and Pat, and sisters Millie, 16, and Hannah, 14, are all keen golfers and are right behind her decision to go to the States.

Lucy said: "My parents were a little nervous about the idea but I think they are coming around to it. It's a great opportunity and I am hoping to make the most of it."

She took up the sport seven years ago and now plays off a handicap of 3.2, which puts her among the elite of female golfers in Britain.

She was helped to find her USA scholarship by sports management and promotion Glasgow-based company United Sports USA. Jamie Alexander of the firm said: "It is a huge achievement. Lucy has beaten of stiff competition from around the globe to get her place on the team.

"Lucy came on board with us in May and has been a joy to work with ever since. I believe she is going to stretch as a player massively and it will be one of the greatest experiences of her life."