SOPHIE Myles looks to have a bright future in golf after the 13-year-old won the Yorkshire Girls B division title for 21-26 handicaps.

Sophie, pictured left, is a product of the Skipton Junior Academy, which has laid emphasis on getting more girls to play the game and she won her title at Hickleton, near Doncaster, on Sunday.

Only just turned 13, she finished a full eight shots ahead of her nearest rival with a display of strong, accurate tee shots as she returned 85-23-62 on the par 73 course.

She can now compete in the A Division title later this year and has been drafted into the Yorkshire golf squad to compete against other Northern Counties.

Sophie took up golf with the Academy four years ago under the tutelage of Ben Mallinson.

She has been earmarked for specialist coaching subsidised by members at Skipton with top Yorkshire teaching professional Peter Tupling, who coaches several professionals and was a top tour pro in the 1970s.

At first her loyalties were divided with horse riding - but Sophie's handicap has tumbled down in the last 18 months since she chose to concentrate on golf.

Currently off 19, she was described by Tupling as "a great natural talent".

She has proved untouchable on the junior girls golf circuit this season, winning two competitions organised by the Yorkshire Counties Ladies Golf Association to give girl golfers in the county some competition among their peers.

At Middlesbrough she had 41 stableford points and was ahead at Hallamshire when she had 34 points after 13 holes, only for the rain to intervene and cancel the competition.

Sophie is also taking on - and beating - the boys. She has won six out of six games for the Skipton team in the Bradford Junior League and is in the semi-final of the Skipton Junior Knockout.

Several boys have come through the Academy coaching system, led by junior captain Matthew Ryder, Robert Windle and Scott Clarkson but the decision to promote girls' golf is also now showing dividends.

Another one of Skipton's emerging junior girl golfers won Skipton Lady Captain's Day Bronze division.

Jessica Holden shot the best round of the day, a net 62, and her handicap was reduced by three shots.

Other winners were: Division One - 1 Pam Boulton 72, 2 Joan Padgett 73, 3 Sophie Eddison 73.

Division Two - 1 Karen Chapman 69, 2 Kay Millen 74, 3 Moira Hinkles 76.

Division Three - 1 Jessica Holden 65, 2 Sally Weatherall 73, 3 Elizabeth Smith 81.