A GOLF Academy star and sports scholar at a Colwyn Bay school has been progressing well during his initial stages with a national squad.

Charley Simpson, a Year 9 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, was rewarded for his exceptional form throughout the summer with a call-up to the Golf Wales youth squad, and he has now moved up to the Academy A fold in a further boost to his overall development.

The 13-year-old has achieved a significant amount since joining Rydal Penrhos as a Year 7 pupil, improving all areas of his game under the guidance and support of Academy coaches led by programme co-ordinator Ian Richardson.

This has included regional and national success in the form of the ISGA Junior Championships alongside fellow pupil and scholar Reuben Bather, and he hit his first hole in one at Nailcote Hall to secure qualification to the British Par Three Championships.

Charley will be training with the Welsh set-up throughout the winter ahead of a busy series of fixtures once the new season gets underway in the spring.

Allen Boyd, director of sport at Rydal Penrhos, said: “Charley is an enormously talented individual who has worked incredibly hard both on his golf skills and with our strength and conditioning department, something which has produced a significant amount of notable achievements to date.

“Our sports scholarship programme continues to produce talented athletes on a consistent basis, which is a real vindication of the commitment shown by our scholars and the staff who mentor them.”