Lily May Humphries, the talented 15-year-old member of Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, has wowed the judges of the 2018 England Golf Awards with her 7 incredible international tournament wins over the past 12 months, and earned her title as winner of their Rising Star Award.

The announcement was made on Thursday night at the glittering England Golf Awards Dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The young Essex golfer had been recognised alongside some of the biggest names in the game – including Race to Dubai and European Tour winner, Tommy Fleetwood, and European amateur champion, The Open silver medallist and Walker Cup player, Alfie Plant, as well as the England Women’s Team who won the European Team Championship for the 2nd year running.

The award has been selected by the judging panel from a record-breaking entry which shines the spotlight on fantastic achievements in golf in England by volunteers, coaches, clubs and counties.

Lily May was thrilled to receive the award; “It’s been an incredible year and to be recognised in this way is very special,” she said.

“I’ve had such amazing support from my family and the coaching team at Stoke by Nayland and I really hope I can continue my good form through 2018. I was thrilled to win in my first event in the US in Florida last December and I can’t wait to go back to the USA this year with the Curtis Cup team.”

Her coach Roly Hitchcock, Head Pro at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, stated: “Lily May’s progress this year is indicative of the hard work and dedication she has shown. Twinned with her natural ability, I am sure Lily May can build on her success of 2017 and I am delighted her achievements have been recognised in this way.”

She was also a finalist in the Performance of the Year awards alongside the eventual winner of the award Tommy Fleetwood, 2017 Race to Dubai title holder, as well as two European Tour victories; England women’s team; winners of the European team championship for the second year in a row; Alfie Plant of Sundridge Park Golf Club, Kent; European amateur champion, silver medallist at The Open and a Walker Cup player.

England Golf Chief Executive Nick Pink said: “We were thrilled by the number and quality of nominations we received and delighted that so many people are helping us to tell golf’s great stories to the wider community.”

2017 achievements for Lily May:

26/03 & 01/04 - Winner Comboy Leveret WAGR

13-17/04 - Selected for French U21 Championship

27-28/05 - Selected for England U16 team v Spain

1-3/06 – Selected for German Girls Open

06/06 - Winner Astor Salver

23-25/06 - Winner Henry Cooper Junior Masters

30/06-01/07 - Represented GB&I in Junior Vagliano Trophy

11/07 – Selected for European Team Championships – Won Bronze Medal

18-20/07 - Winner English Women’s Amateur Championship

27-29/07 - First English winner of European Young Masters

09-11/08 - Selected for Home Internationals – Won Gold Medal

15-19/08 - Winner Girls’ British Open Championship

29-31/08 - Represented European Golf Association in Asia Pacific Junior Championship

25-29/09 – T7 World Junior Girls Championship in Canada

27-30/12 – Winner Junior Orange Bowl International, Florida

Winner England Golf Girls Order of Merit

England Golf Ladies Squad 2017/18