Appleby Isle of Man have announced their support of the talented young golfer, Emma Harris. Fifteen year old Emma Harris, a student in Year 10 at QEII High School, first picked up a golf club at the age of seven and immediately showed a natural talent for the sport. Having spent a number of years practising with her father and older brother, she now plays with a handicap of two. Appleby Isle of Man has made a generous donation, which was used to finance a trip to the Ping factory in Leiecestershire for Emma to be fitted for custom-made clubs and a smart new bag. Emma increasingly competes off the Island, recently representing England in the Under-16’s Open Strokeplay Championship in Scotland, as part of a squad of six talented young players. Emma is currently the Isle of Man Ladies Golf Champion, a title she has proudly held for the past three years, being the youngest ever winner at twelve years old. This year’s Ladies’ Championship will be held at Douglas Golf Club and will once again be sponsored by Appleby Isle of Man. Emma is also a member of the English Women’s Golf Association’s Select North Squad and collected no less than five impressive awards across the UK in her 2010 season. Caron Harris, Emma’s mum, gives a little family background: “Emma is extremely focused and determined and always gives it her all, I had concerns as a mother when she wanted to play a full 18-hole round at the age of 8, but I need not have worried as she very happily came skipping along the 18th fairway, accompanied by her father, throughly enjoying herself!” She adds: “Emma has always been mature and sensible, but is also very fun loving. As parents we are extremely proud of her. She also very rarely asks for anything, such as clothes; indeed it is me who encourages her to have things! She is sensible with money but of course is also aware of just how much it costs for her to be able to compete away and she gives it 100% on the golf course. Emma’s delighted with her new ‘tailor made’ clubs and we are so grateful to Appleby for their financial support.” Commenting on the sponsorship, Sean Dowling, Managing Partner at Appleby Isle of Man, said, “We are delighted to be able to support this very talented young lady, and are acutely aware of the costs involved in travelling off-island to take part in competitions like the Junior Opens. It is important that we don’t allow the Island’s relative geographic isolation to limit the success of our local sporting heroes and heronines. We hope this support will assist Emma in her Isle of Man, County and National events and we warmly wish her every success for her bright future.” Ends