CLEOBURY Mortimer protege Emily Price is officially England’s top female junior golfer after winning the girls’ order of merit.

Among the titles won by the 17-year-old in 2016 were the England Women’s Stroke Play and the Scottish Under-18 Championship, the latter earned in a run of three victories in the space of a fortnight.

A break for GCSE exams did not stifle her progress with the stroke-play crown preceding an international call-up for the European and World Girls’ Team Championships.

“Winning the order of merit does mean a great deal to me,” said Price. “It’s great to know all my hard work throughout the season has paid off.

“It shows me just how well I performed throughout the year and it is a real confidence boost as well as a motivation to do it again this year. Playing with other girls at such high levels drives me on and helps me to understand what I need to do to become better.

“Overall, it was a brilliant season. I really enjoyed playing in events, travelling to different countries and taking part with Team England.”

Looking ahead to 2017, Price added: “I want to improve on everything I have done this year so I would like to win more of the bigger events and improve my average score per round.

“I would also like to reduce to plus-four my handicap by the end of the season. Every year I want to become a better golfer.”