A STUDENT from Shebbear College has been crowned Devon Schools Golf Champion 2024.  

Year 6 pupil at Shebbear College, Charlie Hedden, has become the Devon Schools Golf Champion 2024, after competing as part of our golf team at the Golf Championship at Bigbury Golf Club last week. 

This is the first time that Shebbear College has entered the competition as a school, and it was certainly worth the journey, with the Shebbear team of Billy, Alfie, Woody and Charlie being placed 3rd against 50 teams, an incredible achievement!  

11-year-old Charlie, who is the youngest golfer in the team, went on to win the individual competition! Up against students up to the age of 18, Charlie was drawing with another golfer at 45 points and it was his back nine that ended up winning the competition, right at the end of the day! 

“I thought I was just going for the experience and to have fun,”said Charlie, whose sporting hero is American golfer Bubba Watson.  

“I didn't think for a second I would win, and I ended up coming out with a big trophy! I was so happy and proud” 

Charlie, who has only been playing golf for around 18 months, currently plays for Torrington, Royal North Devon, Portmore and Stover Golf Clubs, travelling across the Southwest to compete at the weekends.  

He continued: “I got into golf as I used to go with my dad to watch him play, and once I found a golf ball in the hedge. It then became a tradition that I would go with my dad and find golf balls each time to add to my collection. I have about 2,000 balls at home! 

“After a while I started to watch the players and asked to join the club myself. Once I started playing, I realised how much I enjoyed it. My aim is to try and go pro with my golf and my ultimate goal is to play in the Masters and win it!” 

Charlie has even promised to buy staff at the school a gold plated private jet when he’s famous.