CHESHIRE and England star Gemma Clews has made the big move into professional golf after a proud and distinguished record in amateur golf in which she reached the top level.

She said: “I started golf at the age of 11 at Ashton-on-Mersey and then joined Delamere Forest Golf Club nearly seven years ago.

“I represented Cheshire Girls and Cheshire’s ladies' teams and moved to international level for England, competing in four home internationals – winning three of them – two European Team Championships – winning gold in July – the World Team Championship in Mexico in 2016 and the GB&I in 2015 and 2017 to play in the Vagliano Trophy against the Continent of Europe.

“I would like to thank all my home team – family, coach James Salt at Ringway, Matt Lakin-Hall my physio, Kris at Ashton for all his help and support over the years, the members at Delamere Forest Golf Club for all their help and support over the last six years and England Golf for the opportunities and experiences I’ve gained with their help and guidance along the way.

“Having achieved so much in the amateur game I feel like it’s the right time for me to take the next step in my career and turn professional.

“My ambitions are to play on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA and be the best player I can be.

“I signed with FireStart Sports, who are a management company for athletes.

"I’ve only been signed to them for a few months, but they have so far helped me with the change from amateur to professional, got me an invite into an LPGA event in New Zealand and they are using my profile to bring in sponsors for the next step.

“FireStart Sports got me an invite into New Zealand Women’s Open and it was such a great experience for my first event as a professional to be competing against some of the best players in the world in an LPGA event.

“I am very grateful to the members of Ashton by supporting me with the funding for the trip.

“Kris caddied for me where I shot two opening rounds of level par (72) to make the cut.

“This was the overall aim of the trip. It was great to be among it all and see what they do differently, not so differently and see how I compared to them as a golfer and it has given me great inspiration for the next step in my journey."