PENNY Hartley from Shipley Golf Club is one step closer to the round of a lifetime with a European Tour star.

She beat thousands of amateur golfers across England to make the final stage of the Bridgestone Chase Your Dream Trophy and become England Golf’s Female Handicapper of the Year.

The Bingley golfer kept alive her dream of a place in the pro-am of the British Masters by qualifying from England Golf Week at Frilford Heath Golf – being one of just nine finalists to do so from a field of 60.

Hartley, who scored a net 75 in Oxfordshire, overcame a painful injury sustained while out on her home course.

She said: “I stepped off a tee and snapped my ankle about four years ago. I’ve had to have a plate and eight pins put in and it’s definitely changed my golf.

“Because of that injury, I never expected to get this far. I knew it was going to be a strong field.

“All you can do is play your best golf and see what happens. I’ve played really well here today and I can’t wait for the adventure to continue.”

The competition, run by England Golf, began in spring and ever since a host of regional events took place, Hartley has been on a journey with Bridgestone to the top of the sport.

She is now only one round away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity playing with a professional at the British Masters at Walton Heath next month - but must first be a part of the winning team in the Bridgestone Challenge.

The Chase Your Dream Trophy continues to capture the imaginations of thousands of amateur golfers in clubs affiliated to England Golf, just as it did in its inaugural year 12 months ago.

In 2017, the three overall winners partnered Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts at the pro-am of the British Masters at Close House and Hartley has the chance to do something similar this year.