A ROTARY club in Bournemouth are “proud” to have helped a world class professional golfer on her journey.

Georgia Hall, from Kinson, joined The Rotary Club of Bournemouth North around 14 years ago. At the time, her golfing abilities were clear, but she needed to travel in order to progress, and the costs proved too high for her.

Rotarians at the club decided to offer her some financial sponsorship, and in 2008 a cheque for £500 was given to her by the then president of the club Charles Cleghorn.

From then onwards, Georgia blossomed and won several local and national competitions.

She was helped further in 2012 when rotarian Malcolm Jefferies made a further presentation of £1,000 to Georgia and her father, money from the club and Sports Aid.

Since then, Georgia has won the ladies British Open Championship and has taken part in golfing events across the world.

She also visited this year’s Open Golf Championship as a spectator, and was able to play a practice round with ‘Tiger’ Woods and other celebrities.

A spokesperson for the The Rotary Club of Bournemouth North said: "Georgia is now herself a golfing legend who still keeps in touch with the club who are proud to have helped her and wish her well in her future endeavours."