A TRIP to a Ladies European Tour event and the chance to rub shoulders with top players turned into title inspiration for Becky Dodd.

In just a fortnight, the 15-year-old cut six shots off her handicap and won the Dorset Girls’ Championship, claiming the scratch and handicap prizes.

The Sturminster Marshall ace had previously been among a group of girls from the Dorset elite squad who had visited the European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

Dodd had played off an 18 handicap for two years but quickly slashed that after she returned, initially to 16 in her first competition and then to 12 after the county girls' championship.

“The day was a big inspiration,” said Dodd. whose father Mike is coach to the Dorset elite girls’ squad.

“I’ve never been really full-on with golf but I found the whole day really interesting and now I want to play more golf, more seriously.

The trip had been arranged by England Golf and the Ladies European Tour to give youngsters a look behind the scenes and the chance to talk to former England amateurs about their professional careers.

The girls, accompanied by coach Dodd and county junior organiser, Sheila Davidge, met players including 2014 LET order of merit winner Charley Hull and Bournemouth's tour rookie Georgia Hall.

A Q&A with Hull, Alison Nicholas and Caroline Masson about their Solheim Cup experiences was also on the agenda.

In addition, the youngsters enjoyed a conversation with Felicity Johnson, who was one of the youngest English amateur champions before becoming a winner on the LET.

Now Becky plans to work with her dad to reduce her handicap further and she is due to set new goals.

She said: “Initially, I wanted to get below my age and then to get to 12 before my next birthday, which is in October. Now I’ve got to think of something else!”