Hannah emerges from NHS Screen to track and trace her progress after spell in States

Hannah Screen is a member of the England Women’s Overseas squad
England Women’s Overseas squad member Hannah Screen gets to play in the Rose Ladies Series this week, after helping the NHS as a track and trace worker fight COVID-19

HERTFORDSHIRE’S Hannah Screen is ready to make a return to competitive golf after a rewarding summer working for the NHS in the fight against the coronavirus.

The 20-year-old member of England women’s overseas squad flew back from Oklahoma University in March. She found work as part of team involved in the NHS ‘track and trace’ set up.

The end of her working block coincides with her first competitive outing of the summer in today’s latest Rose Ladies Series at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

Screen will be joined in the mainly professional field by fellow England amateurs Lily May Humphreys and Ellie Gower for the third event in the series sponsored by England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

Screen has landed a plum draw alongside Woburn’s Solheim Cup star Charley Hull and Essex former England international Gabriella Cowley.

And the Berkshamsted ace is looking forward to getting back onto the course after spending lockdown working not only in her back garden on her golf game, but also behind the scenes for the NHS.

“It’s been really rewarding,” admitted Screen. “I feel as if in some small way I’m doing my bit to help the country’s fight.

“My focus is turning back towards golf as competitions pick up again and, because there’s a chance I will be returning to America in the next few weeks, I can’t carry it on.

“My job involves calling people who came into contact with those who had the virus and telling them about self-isolating.

“The job – as well as the training on safeguarding and confidentiality – has helped teach me a lot.”

Oklahoma University Junior Hannah Screen
Hannah Screen switched to Oklahoma University at the start of the 2019/20 season

College shutdown ended her season

SCREEN returned from the USA on March 16 after colleges closed and events in the 2020 NCAA championship season were ended.

She said: “Since then I’ve been doing uni work, the NHS job and bought a practice net to allow me to work on my game in the garden.

“Along with the net, I’ve been doing what most people have done and practising putting on my carpet, so it’s been good to get back on the course recently and also head to the range.

“I’ve really enjoyed going there with my brother Jeffrey, who is only eight. Last week he hit the ball 135 yards. His swing is so good.

“Afterwards he said to me maybe he could go to university and play golf too.

“It definitely feels like a long time since I played competitive golf. So I’m really excited to be involved in the Rose Ladies Series.

“I played a practice round on Monday and the course is in great condition – especially the greens.”

Buckinghamshire Golf Club is home of the Ladies European Tour
Hannah Screen did work experience at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club which is where the Ladies European Tour has its headquarters

Screen’s work experience at LET HQ

HANNAH is no stranger to this week’s Buckinghamshire venue.

As a teenager, she carried out work experience with the Ladies’ European Tour at the course where it has its headquarters, and also worked in hospitality.

Now she’s eager to spend more time playing.

Hannah added: “I worked at the Ladies Masters event in 2015 in hospitality, but also got to help teach a group of disabled golfers on the range which was amazing.

“I played the course once when I was 14, but having played it again this week I can’t wait to get out there.

“I was on the putting green on Monday when Alice Hewson told me I had been drawn with Charley and Gabriella which is exciting.

Screen said: “I actually played nine holes with Charley once at Woburn Golf Club. I was only 14 and I’m not sure she’ll remember it.”

Woodhall Spa will host the 2020 English Women’s Amateur Championship in July
The English Women’s Amateur will be played at Woodhall Spa later this month – Hannah Screen may miss it to play in the US Women’s Amateur instead

Choice to play US Women’s Amateur or at Woodhall Spa

A DISRUPTED summer means Screen’s plans beyond the Rose Ladies Series are still clouded in doubt.

She will take part in a Faldo Series Europe event at Brockett Hall next week.

Screen may also take part in the English Women’s Amateur at Woodhall Spa at the end of July.

But there is also an option to play the US Women’s Amateur, in Washington DC, ahead of a return for her third year at university.

“It’s all a little bit up in the air,” confessed Screen, who is heading into her junior year at Oklahoma University, studying business and communications.

Hannah added: “I’m not sure when I will go back to America, but I am looking forward to returning to Uni.

“I moved to Oklahoma from Houston in December and I have really enjoyed the last semester and managed all ‘A’ grades.

“They also do sports so well in America and the competition level is so high that you are always improving.”

•For live scoring in the Rose Ladies Series click here.

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