ONE of the district’s rising golf stars has won a hat-trick of trophies.

Zara Naughton, a Year 8 pupil at Ponteland Middle School, claimed all three of the girls’ championships at the Northumberland County Schools Golf Championships.

Seventy players between the ages of 10 and 18 took part in the 18-hole strokeplay competition at Ponteland Golf Club, but it was Zara who made the headlines.

She led at the halfway point with a score of one under par, but dropped two shots on the back nine.

She finished with a score of one over par to become the U18 county champion, U16 county champion and the county girls’ nett champion.

There was also success for the district in the boys’ competitions.

Joseph Robson, from Prudhoe High School, won the U18 category with an impressive round of 68 at four under par.

He was pushed hard by Freddie McKenna, from Kings Priory School in Tynemouth, who scored 70.

Daniel Gilbraith, of Ponteland High School, won the U18 nett championship, while the U16 nett honour went to Fin Bell from North Gosforth Academy.

Zara will be one of six players from Tynedale to represent Northmberland at the North of England Schools Golf Championships.

The championships will be held on May 31 at Denton Golf Club in Manchester.

Zara will be joined by Cameron Thoburn, of Ponteland High School, Angus Buchanan, Junior Dobson, and Lois Blythe, of Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School, and Haydon Bridge High School’s Alex Hepple.