Staff WriterThere’ll be more than just croissants and birdies on offer in Paris next week as England Golf’s brightest young talents prepare to tee it up at the European Young Masters from 24–26 July at the storied RCF La Boulie in France.
This year’s squad, packed with promise and polish, is gunning for gold at Europe’s premier under-16 golf championship.
Leading the charge are Ellie Lichtenhein, Annabel Peaford, Thomas Hartshorne, and George Whitehead—four names that may soon be scrawled across leaderboards far beyond the junior ranks. If you haven’t heard of them yet, give it time.
Peaford, the reigning individual champion, returns to the European Young Masters with fire in her belly and form to match. “Annabel played great last week at the European Team Championships,” said England Men’s Deputy Performance Director Stephen Burnett.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for her to try and defend her individual title, while Ellie, Tom and George will all be itching to get at it.”
Burnett added, “It’s great to be heading to Paris to play at a wonderful venue. The players selected have been in great form and we’ll be going out there to contend in European golf’s premier event for under 16s.”
The Girls: Formidable and Fearless
Ellie Lichtenhein (15, Buckinghamshire GC) has been a one-woman highlight reel in recent months. She’s notched a top-five at the Scottish Girls’ U18, took silver at the English Girls’ Open Amateur and the Fairhaven Trophy, and helped secure wins for England and GB&I in both the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals and Junior Vagliano Trophy. If there’s a junior event worth winning, chances are she’s come close.
Then there’s Annabel Peaford (16, Walton Heath), who might just need a wheelbarrow for her trophies.
Her recent résumé includes topping the individual stroke play at the European Girls’ Team Championship, a quarter-final run at the U18 Cartier Trophy, and a top-10 at the R&A Girls’ Amateur.
Add to that a course record at Sunningdale and victory at the 2023 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship, and she’s clearly no stranger to the big stage.
The Boys: Swinging with Intent
Thomas Hartshorne (15, Teesside) has already shown he’s made of steely stuff, finishing runner-up at the Fairhaven Trophy after a play-off and representing England at the European Boys’ Team Championship.
He’s lifted silverware with Yorkshire and was the top U16 at the Carris Trophy. Cool under pressure and consistent off the tee, Hartshorne looks ready to contend.
Joining him is George Whitehead (15, Hillside), another player on a sharp upward trajectory.
With podium finishes at both the Scottish Boys’ U16 and Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, plus a strong North of England showing, Whitehead is proving himself a worthy name on the England roster.
Eyes on the Prize
Last year, England finished third overall at the European Young Masters, bolstered by Peaford’s standout individual win at -20. With this quartet in red and white, the hopes are rightly high for an even stronger finish in 2025.
Paris may be the City of Light, but for England Golf, it’s about shining under pressure.
And if recent form is any indication, this young squad might just bring back more than memories from France—they could be bringing home medals.
Stay tuned to see if they turn promise into podiums.
