TEENAGER Sophie Brooks will have a secret weapon at the Observer Ladies golf final on Sunday - her aunt and caddy Kim Andrews.
Kim has played golf at the highest level, winning the British Amateur Open in 1998, playing in the Curtis Cup in 1998 and 2000 and she will captain the Great Britain and Irish team for the Espirito Santo World Cup in Puerto Rico next month.
But first she must turn her attentions to help 17-year-old Sophie, who is studying her A-Levels at St Mary's College in Blackburn, be crowned Ladies Champion at Rossendale GC.
"She is a calming influence," admitted Sophie, who plays off nine at Whalley. "She makes me more confident and obviously knows my game.
"It is the first time I have entered the competition, I am a bit nervous but will just give it a go."
Not as nervous as opponent Julia Musker, 38, who only took up golf a year ago "for something to do" and has reduced her handicap from 45 to 22.
"I only took it up because my husband was a member at Rishton and they were offering free ladies membership. I just took to it.
"I remember watching the ladies final last year and seeing a crowd and thinking "I could never do that." But I am just pleased to get this far but I will have to be a bit more serious now. It is all a bit over my head though."
Julia's caddy will be Rishton's Lady Captain Marian Rae.
"I only got a caddy in the semi-finals as I felt a bit awful asking someone to carry my golf clubs around but Marian will chatter and keep me calm."
Both were set to go round the course for the first time today.
