JESSICA Pilgrim from Stoke Park Golf Club is in the running for the England Golf Young Ambassador of the Year Award, presented in association with the Golf Foundation.

Pilgrim, 13, is one of four finalists and the winner will be announced at the 2019 England Golf Awards, sponsored by Adidas Golf, at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 21st March. The gala dinner will be hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker.

Pilgrim is making a difference in golf in many ways, according to her nomination.

She is both a keen player - and a member of the England Golf Thames Valley regional squad - and an active volunteer who promotes the game.

Pilgrim is spreading her love of the game as an ambassador for England Golf and the Golf Foundation, for the recruitment campaign Girls Golf Rocks, and for her club, Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire.

She has also helped make golf available to her school.

Her volunteering has taken her to the national junior games for disabled athletes and to high-profile golf events where she has met stars of the sport like Thomas Bjorn and Andrew Johnson.

Wherever Pilgrim goes it is to inspire other youngsters to give golf a go.

Jean Taylor is the 2018 Stoke Park ladies’ captain. She said: “Her infectious enthusiasm can only help in promoting golf. Her achievements all help to promote golf in her school, club and county. I hope her voice continues to be heard.”

Her challengers for the award are Ella Baker, Louise McLoughlin and Georgina Wrixon.