REBECCA Heys upset the odds to become the first girl to win Greenmount Golf Club's Barry Jones Junior Masters title.

The 12-year-old Tottington school girl claimed top prize in the handicap competition, firing a nett score of 58 to win by six shots.

It was a fantastic achievement in Rebecca’s first year of junior competition against rivals aged up to 18, which earned her the “most improved” salver in Greenmount’s recent junior awards ceremony.

But dad Jonathan Heys says his daughter has no aspiration, as yet, to take her hobby more seriously.

“It is a great achievement, but I don’t think Rebecca has shown any inclination to take the game further, she just enjoys competing with her friends,” he said.

“There are plenty of other girls playing in the competitions, and the boys have been very gracious in defeat, congratulating her on her victory – even her older brother Chris!”

Rebecca, who took up the sport two years ago after playing on a driving range while on holiday in Spain, won a tournament in her first season as a junior to qualify for the Masters.

The competition, which is reserved for past champions and tournament winners, pits together the club’s best young talent in its 50-strong junior membership, which includes seven girls.

Rebecca was certainly not one of the favourites to win, with her closest challenger on the day shooting a gross 67.

But while he played off three, the year eight pupil at Canon Slade in Bolton used her 36 handicap to full advantage, easing to victory with a gross score of 94.

Repeating the trick may be difficult next year after Rebecca’s handicap was reduced to 29 by the end of the season, but Mark Whalley, the junior director at Greenmount, has been impressed with her rapid progress.

“Rebecca has had a fantastic year,” said Whalley.

“During the season she moved up to the juniors from the Young Gun section and got her first handicap.

“To go on and win a tournament and then become the first girl to claim the Junior Masters title was an impressive achievement.”

Greenmount has a blossoming junior membership, with a number of its players representing the Bury and District Golf Association junior side.

It is split into two sections – the Young Guns for children aged seven to 11 and the Juniors for youths aged 11 to 18.

Both sections are currently full, but the club is operating a waiting list.

To find out more, check out the junior section of the website at greenmountgolfclub.co.uk