2024 is shaping up to be a standout year for England’s women and girls in golf, and the freshly minted rosters from England Golf are proof that the future’s as bright as a sunny day on the links.
With some familiar faces moving on to pro tours and fresh talents stepping up, it’s like a grand changing of the guard—but with golf clubs instead of swords.
Out With the Old, In With the New
From last year’s powerhouse lineup, stars like Jess Baker, Rosie Belsham, and Mimi Rhodes have taken their swings at the pro scene. It’s always bittersweet to see them go, but then again, isn’t it a bit thrilling to watch them chase their dreams?
Joining the women’s squad this year is Lily Hirst, whose dynamism and sheer talent have already started turning heads.
And for those who’ve been keeping tabs on the younger set, the Girls’ Squad is teeming with new names ready to make a splash.
Lila Bisset and Lauren Crump are just a couple of the youngsters who are not just playing the game—they’re redefining it.
A Few Words from the Top
Becca Hembrough, the brains behind these brazen talents, can barely contain her excitement. “This year’s been a goldmine—literally,” she laughs, referencing the gold and bronze medals snagged at the European Championships.
With a glint in her eye, she adds, “Watching Lottie Woad conquer Augusta and our teams triumph internationally, it’s clear—these girls aren’t just playing; they’re revolutionizing the game.”
Stars on the Rise
Let’s zoom in on a few of these remarkable players:
| Find out more about each of the individuals below. NATIONAL WOMEN’S SQUAD |
| US-BASED PLAYERS Sophia Fullbrook (18), The Melbourne GC, Hertfordshire – Florida State University – Top-10 finishes at European Nations Cup and English U25 Championship in 2024, and 16th-place finish in the Portuguese Amateur – Represented England in the biennial England v Spain match, Girls’ European Team Championship and World Junior Girls Championship in 2023 – Part of England Women’s Team which won the 2023 Home Internationals Lily Hirst (21), Huddersfield GC, Yorkshire – Kansas University – Won June’s English Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Stoneham – Represented England in 2024 European Ladies Team Championship (bronze) and helped England Women win their Home Internationals in August – Three top-10 finishes in USA in 2023 and a further two top-10s this year – Top-10 finish at English U25 Championship in July Isla McDonald O’Brien (17), Shrewsbury GC, Shropshire – Arizona State University – Part of England Girls’ Squad which won gold at the European Team Championship in July – Part of England Women’s Squad which won their Home Internationals in August – Top-10 finishes at Annika Invitational Europe in Sweden (June) and Junior Orange Bowl International in USA (January) – Won 2023 Fairhaven Trophy and reached semi-finals of 2023 Girls’ Amateur Championship – Represented England at 2022 and 2023 European Girls’ Team Championship, 2022 Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals, 2023 Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals and 2023 England v Spain international match – Represented GB&I at 2022 Junior Vagliano Trophy Nellie Ong (18), Eaton, Norfolk – Ohio State University – Played at the Aramco Team Series in July alongside Patty Tavatanakit, Gemma Clews and Jo-Eun Kim – Helped England Women win their Home Internationals in August – Won Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship in May – 2nd-place finishes at Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship and Scottish Girls’ Open Championship in April – Qualified 3rd at U21 French Open in March/April and reached the quarter-finals – Finished 2nd in play-off at 2023 English Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship in Manchester – Represented England in 2024 European Ladies Team Championship (bronze), 2023 Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals and 2023 World Junior Girls Championship in Canada Patience Rhodes (20), Burnham & Berrow, Somerset – Arizona State University – Part of GB&I’s Curtis Cup-winning team in August/September – Helped England Women win their Home Internationals in August – Won St Rule Trophy in 2023 – Helped Europe win Patsy Hankins Trophy in 2023 against Asia/Pacific – Represented England at European Ladies’ Team Championship in 2023 (silver) and 2024 (bronze) and European Girls’ Team Championship in 2022 – Won Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals with England in 2023 – Top-10 finish at South American Amateur in January and 3rd-place at Dr Donnis Thompson Invitational (USA) in March Lottie Woad (20), Farnham GC, Surrey – Florida State University – Won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April, becoming the first European and British player to do so and qualifying for all the women’s majors in the meantime – Finished tied-10th at the AIG Women’s Open – Finished tied-23rd in her first major – the Chevron Championship – Became the first English female to be named World No.1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings – Helped GB&I win the Curtis Cup in August/September – Helped England Women win their Home Internationals in August – In 2024, finished 2nd at NCAA D1 Women’s Championship (USA), and 3rd at NCAA D1 Las Vegas Regional – Reached the final of the Florida State Match Up and finished tied-2nd at Collegiate Invitational at GCC (Mexico) UK-BASED PLAYERS Sadie Adams (17), Royal Birkdale GC, Lancashire – Won Fairhaven Trophy and Irish Girls’ Amateur Open Championship in May – Finished 3rd at July’s English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship – Helped England win the 2024 European Girls’ Team Championship and Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals – Represented England at 2023 European Young Masters and European Girls’ Team Championship – Won the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals with England in 2023 – Represented GB&I at 2023 Junior Vagliano Trophy Matilde Santilli (17), Foxhills, Surrey – Joint-winner of 2024 Critchley Astor Salver, finished 2nd in Northampton Tigress, 4th at English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, 4th at English Girls’ Open Championship and 6th at Irish Girls’ Amateur Open Championship – Helped England win the 2024 European Girls’ Team Championship and Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals – Won 2023 Northampton Tigress – Represented England at 2023 European Young Masters and in three U16 international matches Amelia Wan (17), Sherwood Forest GC, Nottinghamshire – Top-five finish at 2024 European Cup of Nations in Sotogrande, Spain – Helped England win European Girls’ Team Championship in July and Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals in August – In 2023, represented England at European Girls’ Team Championship, Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals, and in England v Spain international match – In 2022, represented GB&I at Junior Vagliano Trophy NATIONAL GIRLS’ SQUAD Lila Bisset (15), Northamptonshire County GC, Northamptonshire – Won the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Championships and Northampton Tigress in 2024 – Enjoyed top-10 finish at English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship – Top-20 finish at R&A Junior Open – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Switzerland in August Lauren Crump (15), Hill Valley GC, Shropshire – Won the English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and Scottish Girls’ U16 Open in July, and finished runner-up in the English Girls’ U16 Open Championship – Won the Women’s County Champion of Champions in September – Enjoyed a top-five finish at Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Spain in April – Helped England win the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals – Helped GB&I win the Junior Vagliano in August for the first time Ellie Lichtenhein (15), Buckinghamshire GC, Buckinghamshire – Finished 2nd at the recent English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, the Scottish Girls’ U16 Open Championship and the Fairhaven Trophy – Finished 2nd after a play-off at the recent Girls’ County Champion of Champions – Finished 4th at English U25 Championship – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Spain in April – Helped England win the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals – Helped GB&I win the Junior Vagliano in August for the first time Charlotte Naughton (16), Longhirst Hall GC, Northumberland – Finished 2nd at Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship, St Rule Trophy and Sir Henry Cooper Junior Championship this year – Top-10 finish at 2024 English U18 Amateur Stroke Play Championship – Helped England win the 2024 European Girls’ Team Championship and Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals, as well as helping England pick up bronze at European Young Masters – Helped GB&I win the Junior Vagliano in August for the first time – Won 2022 English U14 Girls’ Championship and has represented England in three U16 international matches Annabel Peaford (15), Walton Heath GC, Surrey – Won the individual European Young Masters in July with an outstanding score of -20, which also helped England pick up bronze at the event – Finished 3rd at the English Girls’ U16 Open Championship and the Sir Henry Cooper Championship – Broke the Sunningdale course record in May to win the Critchley Astor Salver – Helped England win the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals – Helped GB&I win the Junior Vagliano in August for the first time – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Spain in April – Won the 2023 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship Emily Peaford (15), Walton Heath GC, Surrey – Won the North of England Girls’ U16 Open Championship – Top-10 finishes at English Girls’ U16 Stroke Play Championship, Sir Henry Cooper Championships, Critchley Astor Salver and The Gold Rose in 2024 – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Switzerland in August Chloe Tarbard (17), Royal Norwich, Norfolk – Won the 2024 Scottish Girls’ Open Championship, as well as picking up top-10 finishes at Northampton Tigress and Fairhaven Trophy – Helped England Girls win the European Girls’ Team Championship in July – Won the 2023 English U16 Girls Championship – Represented England U16s v Switzerland and Spain in 2023 international matches – Represented Great Britain & Ireland at the 2023 Junior Vagliano Trophy Elizabeth Wilson (16), Norwood Park GC, Nottinghamshire – Finished 4th at the English Girls’ Open Championship in July – Had a top-10 finish at The R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship in April and a top-15 finish at the English U25 Championship in July – Won the recent Bronte Law Junior Series event at Moor Allerton – Represented England in the annual U16 match v Switzerland in August |
As we look ahead, these squads aren’t just about names on a roster; they’re about the stories, the late-night practice sessions, the early-morning drives, and the sheer determination to be better with every swing.
These women and girls aren’t just playing golf; they’re living it, loving it, and lifting it higher for the next generation.
Curious to know more about these inspiring players? Swing by England Golf’s website for more stories that hit close to the heart—and the green.
