The future of female golf in the area is bright if this year's Bradford and District Ladies Championship is anything to go by.

East Bierley's Katie Barraclough, aged just 17, won the gross title at Shipley to end the three-year reign of Silsden's Claire Starkie.

And Skipton's Sophie Myles - at 13 believed to be the competition's youngster winner - won the nett prize by beating fellow teenager Natalie Ireland 3&2 in the final.

It was the second big title of the season for Barraclough, who also won the English Ladies Golf Association Northern Foursomes at Scarcroft with her mum, Jackie.

Twenty-year-old Starkie, who is studying at Georgia State University as part of a golf scholarship, was once again favourite to regain her crown.

But Barraclough - who was due to play in the English Girls' championship at Old Ford Manor in Barnet this week - has brought her handicap down to just five.

Mary Welch, a member of the organising committee of the Bradford Ladies event, said: "It was a bit of a turn-up but Katie has had a lot of coaching and has played for Yorkshire, so she has gained a lot of experience. She did marvellously well."

After beating Starkie 2&1 in the semi-final, Barraclough beat last year's finalist Jayne Helliwell, of Bingley St Ives, 4&2 to claim the title.

The youngster, who plays for Cleckheaton's junior team, had her lead reduced from four to two-up by the 14th hole but a birdie there saw her cruise home.

  • Sophie Myles was lying in 30th place after the second round of the English Girls' under-13s championship at Brickendon Grange. The final round is played tomorrow.