Harris ready for Glenmuir test

Maidenhead PGA Professional Victoria Harris is looking to practise what she preaches as she prepares for her first competitive event of a busy 2014.

The 26-year-old golf coach is gearing up for a trip to Little Aston on May 19, when she will fly the flag for the town in the qualifying round of the prestigious Women’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

Harris will be one of a strong field looking to make it through to the final at Blairgowrie on August 7-8 for a shot at deposing reigning champion Lucy Williams, whose own playing career was ignited when she secured victory in the same event 12 months ago.

After dedicating the first years of her golfing career to coaching and promoting the growth of golf among women, Harris is determined to follow the same advice she passes on to her students in the run-up to the event.

“I always tell them to make sure that they put everything into it,” she explained. “That doesn’t just mean when you’re playing. You also have to look after yourself while you’re off the course in order to make sure you are able to perform while you are on it.

“I’ll certainly be following this advice over the next couple of weeks as I want to do well and qualify for the final.

“I do like Little Aston, it’s a tricky little course which is always in great condition and I always seem to do quite well there. Hopefully I stand a good chance of being among the qualifiers.”

Much of Harris’ outlook was developed during two years in Florida after she secured a sports scholarship to study at Daytona Beach.

“Studying over in America was a really good experience,” she enthused. “I got to play a lot of golf and experience living in a completely different environment.

“I really appreciate the opportunity that I had. I learnt a lot about being part of a team and there was always something to be involved with. I was so busy that I never really even got the chance to get homesick!”

Things haven’t got any quieter for Harris since her return home. She now tries to balance an active playing career with coaching at Maidenhead Golf Club, while also dedicating time to ensuring the sport is made accessible to local women and girls through regular school visits and the creation of a ladies’ academy.

“I can’t believe how busy things have got for me over the last few months,” Harris said.

“I love it though, and my boss has been really supportive and has helped me to manage my time to ensure I can fit everything in and still get time to play.

“At the moment I probably spend around 70 per cent of my time coaching but I still get plenty of chances to play. The Glenmuir is probably the stand out event I’m playing in this year but I’ll also be playing in regional events and pro-ams throughout the summer.”

Other players competing in the qualifier at Little Aston include: Keely Chiericato (Manston), Suzanne Dickens (Thorpe Wood), Claire Duffy (Test Valley), and Adrienne Engleman (Cambridge).