A Wee girl from Shillington was just a countback away from international selection. Ella Ofstedahl, who turned nine last week, was denied a place in the GB and Ireland team for next year s US Kids Golf World Championships in America. Competing in the girl

A Wee girl from Shillington was just a countback away from international selection.

Ella Ofstedahl, who turned nine last week, was denied a place in the GB and Ireland team for next year's US Kids Golf World Championships in America.

Competing in the girls' seven-eight category, she qualified to play in the Wee Wonders National Final in St Andrews this year.

The grand final saw the winners in each age group from the nine regional finals held in England, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland come together.

The youngsters competed over two nine-hole medals over two days with the winners being those with the lowest combined gross score.

The winners compete for places in next year's US Kids World Championships at Pinehurst, California.

The competition was held on the nine-hole par 30 Balgrove course which is part of the St Andrews Links six course golfing experience with the Old Course only a stone's throw away.

The 1520 yard Balgrove includes three relatively short par fours but the six par threes include ones of 194 and 161 yards which make up the distance.

Competitors had to contend with extremely fast greens, strong winds and tricky links style bunkers.

Ella finished joint leader after the first day shooting only three over par.

After a more difficult second day, she finished tied for second but lost out on countback to leave her in third place - just missing out on the two places on the GB and Ireland team for next year.

The Shillington Lower School pupil has been playing since the age of five and currently has a ladies' handicap of 29.

Ella is a member of the Mill Green 'Tiger Club' in Welwyn Garden City.

She is now looking ahead to the YMG Grand Final at The Warwickshire later this month.