ACADEMIA is teed up to provide a massive boost to Charlotte Austwick, York golf’s upcoming queen of the greens.

The 19-year-old swings into university life on Monday when she starts her three-year degree course in accounting and business finance management at the University of York.

The Tadcaster-based youngster, who proved she had a head for figures when she achieved her pre-summer ambition to get her handicap down to scratch, is hoping to give an honorable account of herself in her studies.

And her desire for a degree will be further boosted by the increased golfing horizons which university life will also open up for the former Tadcaster Grammar school pupil.

In attaining a place at the University of York she has also been awarded a talented athlete scholarship.

That has provided her with a cash boon. She will be able to have more lessons during the winter from esteemed national ladies’ coach Steve Robinson, the head pro at Sandburn Hall GC, as well as increase her strength and conditioning regime and attend more physiotherapy sessions.

She is also looking forward to competing in the feted British Universities and Colleges individual stroke-play championship, and, as a member of the York seat of learning, the reigning Pike Hills GC ladies’ club champion is entitled to five-day membership at Fulford GC, a mere short-iron drive from the university campus’ sports complex.

Said Austwick: “I am so thrilled at getting a place at the University of York.

“I will not have to commute from home so that will make it cheaper and besides getting on to the course I wanted, it will be a good opportunity to improve my golf.

“The British Universities and Colleges championship is a well-recognised event in which you have to play in at least two of the four qualifiers which are held in Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Kent and Somerset, leading to a grand final for the top ten girls at the West Lancashire GC.

“Now along with my lectures and studies I can plan out a campaign for the winter. And being so close to Fulford GC is another bonus.”

Austwick acknowledged that this winter her prime golfing task will be to improve on her short game.

Over the past summer in which nationally her top achievement was sixth place in the Scottish Under-21s Ladies Open at Dunfermline as the leading English player, while locally being crowned the York Union of Golf Clubs’ ladies’ champion, she realised work needed to be done on her play on and around the greens.

“I have matched better players from tee to green, but I really need to nail getting up and down and finishing off holes by improving my short game, both putting and approaches to the flag,” said Austwick.

“My aim during the past year was to get my handicap down from two to scratch and now I want to sharpen my short game.

“The chance of better quality training and preparation and also playing on the university circuit will also help me get off to a faster and more successful start to the ladies’ competitive season next summer.”