When Terry Laker first took his young daughter to hit a few golf balls he could little have imagined that she’d soon be a better player than him and that the sport would see her travelling the world.

“I think I was 12 when I first beat dad. We still sometimes have a little match and I usually win,” said Abi, 19, from Witney.

Of course, winning against dad isn’t her only achievement, as Abi competes at a national level and has a full scolarship to an American university thanks to her golfing prowess.

“I first became interested in golf at the age of six when my father took me along to Witney Lakes driving range to hit a few golf balls and everything went on from there,” said Abi. “I played my first county match at the age of nine and was junior county captain in 2011.

“I represented England in the schools’ home internationals and became the Faldo Series European under-16 girls champion in 2010, which gave me an invitation into the world finals in China.

“Because of my low golf handicap and my A level results, several universities in the USA made contact with me offering scholarships for a four-year course. I chose to go to Arkansas State University, and have just finished my freshman year.”

While at Arkansas, Abi has been travelling all across the USA playing golf for the university team and has been named as the university’s female freshman athlete of the year and as an All-American Scholar by the US Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).

“I have loved every minute of it,” said Abi, who is back home in Oxfordshire and practising most days at Frilford Heath Golf Club when she’s not competing.

Abi thinks golf is becoming more popular with women. “The best way to get into it is to contact your local club and speak to the ladies’ membership secretary or junior organiser about what memberships are available,” said Abi, who is studying photo journalism on the scholarship, but hopes to make a career from professional golf.

“Most golf clubs have a junior section with an organiser who arranges weekly or monthly competitions and they may also run taster days so you can see if golf is for you. That way you may not have to buy expensive equipment straight away.

“Most junior memberships are at a reduced rate and if you compare the costs to other sports they seem to be fairly similar. There are also club professionals at each golf club, who will give you lessons, individually or as a group.

“This will enable you to gain the nessessary skills needed to get you up and running, and also the opportunity to meet new people, and others who are learning with you.

“All age groups can play golf and because of the handicapp-ing system all abilities can too.

“Golf is for life . . . I love it.”

GET INTO GOLF n There are 27 golf clubs in the county and 2,850 women members, according to Jane Carter, press officer at Oxfordshire Ladies County Golf Association (OLCGA). With probably another six or seven thousand females choosing to “pay and play”.

“There’s a push to get more women to play golf,” said Jane, who suggests people interested should take a look at the website getintogolf.org “It’s far more family friendly these days and it’s terribly social.”

She said women can drop their children off at school, play nine holes – which takes about 90 minutes – and still be back in time for lunch.

Because of the handicapping system, it’s for all ages and abilities too.

“You can play it from the cradle to the grave,” said Jane. “Mum, dad and two kids can play together on a Sunday.

“It’s a wonderful game.”