Alice Hewson Photo credit: Adrian Milledge
Alice Hewson has taken the latest step in a memorable year by making her first appearance as a professional in the LET Access Series WPGA International Challenge at Stoke by Nayland.
The 22-year-old’s participation in the 54-hole tournament has come within days of her ending a successful amateur career and joining the paid ranks.
Commenting on her latest career move, she said: “I received an invite to play in this tournament and, as it’s only a couple of hours from my home in Hertfordshire, it was a good opportunity to put my game to the test.
“I’ve played Tour School for LPGA this year and I’m hoping to play the Ladies European Tour School as well. It’s a good event to kick start my pro career.”
Earlier this year Hewson became the first English woman to play a competitive round at the Augusta National when she qualified for the inaugural Augusta Invitational.
She finished in the top 10 and followed up by winning the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Parkstone Golf Club, Dorset.
In deciding to turn pro, Hewson paid tribute to her coach, Rob Watts, a PGA Professional at Castle Royal Golf Club, Reading as well as the lady members at Berkhamsted Golf Club.
Much of her coaching with Watts has been conducted remotely as Hewson spent four years at Clemson University in South Carolina.
“I’ve been with him nearly five years now,” she explained. “I’m moving in such a better way than I was five years ago.
“Because I’ve been in the States we’ve communicated via Facetime. I had lots of access to Trackman at Clemson so I had my Trackman numbers in front of me for virtual lessons. Then, when I came home in the summer and at Christmas I’d catch up with him in person.
“He teaches in a modern way and he’s changed my game massively.
“The Ladies section at Berkhamsted has also been a huge help in my career.
“They’ve been really supportive. I’ve been a member there since I was seven and the Ladies section has always taken me under their wing.
“They looked after this seven-year-old out on the golf course. They taught me about the game and have been really supportive as I made the transition to become a pro. I’m very, very lucky to be a member there.”
