MASTERS DREAM FOR BILLY STOTT

Billy Stott is only eight-years-old, but he already has dreams of winning the Masters and wearing the most famous jacket in sport. In January, Billy was named as the first official young golf ambassador at Slinfold Golf & Country Club, where he first picked up a club at the age of five. He has enjoyed remarkable success since, becoming British Junior Champion and winning the Under-7 Boys’ Champion of Champions World Championship at Lough Erne, Ireland.

Matt Cornall, PGA Golf Coach at Slinfold, said that natural talent, as well as enthusiasm, have inspired Billy’s progress. Matt said: ‘We have a vibrant junior section at Slinfold and the coaching staff encourage all of the young players to progress from our 14-bay driving range to the par-3 course as soon as possible. This transition usually comes when they can drive 80 yards comfortably, which Billy achieved very quickly. It was apparent from the outset that he had talent, with an ability to adapt his swing to create a wide range of shots. We can ask him to hit the ball high or low, left or right, or even faded shots that rise or curve depending on natural obstacles, and he’s able to do that.

‘Just as important as Billy’s ability is his love of the game. I have never come across a six-year-old that had to be dragged off the driving range! Billy just wants to keep on hitting more and more balls! When it comes to youth development, it’s important to keep junior sessions fun too, as you don’t want golf to become a chore. Billy certainly loves to play and that is aiding his development, to the point where he has already won a world championship.’

FAMILY AFFAIR

The Golf Academy at Slinfold continues to grow. In addition to Billy’s recent success, three of its juniors were selected for the Under-14 Sussex Academy last year.

The club coaches over 100 children a week through term-time classes, holiday camps, and weekly roll-up sessions, while taster days for U-10s from local schools have introduced many others to the game. As well as regular junior competitions, the club hosted the inaugural Slinfold Junior Open four years ago, an event which is now established as an annual highlight for boys and girls. The vibrant atmosphere creates a fun, inclusive place for children to learn the game and this approach is increasingly yielding results. As well as support from Slinfold, Billy’s progress requires a huge commitment from his family, with his parents taking him to tournaments across the country and even overseas. It would be natural to assume they too are keen golfers, but that isn’t the case…

‘I had only played one round of golf in my life before Billy first visited the driving range with a friend and started to show an interest in the game,’ said dad, Ollie Stott. ‘However, I played cricket as a schoolboy and enjoyed rugby too, so I like to think that some of his talent comes from me! It is only recently that I have started regularly playing golf with him, as I want Billy to enjoy the game as much as possible, and I’m aware that he won’t need me to carry his clubs around forever. During one round, Billy came over to me, as I had struggled on the opening holes, patted me on the back and gave me words of encouragement. It felt surreal, coming from my eight-year-old son!

‘The junior membership fees at Slinfold are very reasonable and the club has helped him to build confidence, learn course etiquette, develop his short game and improve his swing in a fun environment. The option to play the nine-hole or the 18-hole course with shortened black tees provide a development pathway for young players too. However, travelling to competitions further afield is more costly. It requires a huge commitment for all of the family, including his younger sister, Lara. Our holidays now revolve mostly around golf tournaments, but it’s something we are all enjoying.’

WORLD CHAMPION

Many of the events Billy competes in are part of the British Junior Golf Tour, which has categories for Under-7s, then boys and girls aged 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18. The series has a track record of developing talent, with many players progressing to join the professional ranks, including the PGA Tour. The tour takes in courses across the country, with tournaments held most weekends throughout the spring and summer. The tour schedule also includes prestigious events including The Daily Mail World Junior Golf Championships (held in Malaga, Spain) and the European Open, which will be hosted by the Bogogno Golf Resort, Italy, in July.

Billy also competes in the Sussex Junior Golf Development Tour, which was founded in 2023 to encouraging less experienced children from local clubs on to the course in a friendly environment. The 2025 Sussex Tour visited several venues in the Horsham District, including Mannings Heath, Cottesmore, Slinfold and Horsham Golf Academy, with Billy’s consistency helping him to become both Under-9 and Tour Order of Merit champion. During a busy season, Billy also secured a top 10 finish at the Faldo Futures Under-9 Final at The Belfry. However, the highlight came at the FloGas Champion of Champions at Lough Erne, Ireland, billed as the world’s biggest junior champions invitational. There, Billy triumphed in the Under-7s, with the nine world champions in the various age groups coming from seven different nations.

Billy, who lives in Ifold and attends Cranleigh School, said: ‘We played nine holes on each day of the three-day competition at Lough Erne. It has two courses and we played on both, although the Faldo Championship course is harder than the Castle Hume course. It was exciting, as there was a £1000 prize for anyone who shot a hole-in-one on the par-3. I came quite close, but I haven’t shot a hole-in-one yet!

‘It was a good tournament to win, as there were players from across Europe and even South Africa. I shot +6, +2 and +6 to win, and they gave me a huge trophy. It was really nice, as my mummy and sister came to Ireland as well, to support me. Also, Justin Rose – who is my second favourite player after Rory McIlroy – sent me a signed picture, as well a hat for the Masters, which I keep in my bedroom.’

MASTERS DREAM

Throughout the winter season, Billy has been maintaining an edge by competing at international tour events organised by U.S Kids Golf, winning several events in January, before he embarks on another season on the British Junior Golf Tour.

He has also been announced as Slinfold’s first young golf ambassador, with the Club giving him free junior golf membership to help him achieve his dream of one day becoming a full-time professional. Luke Blacker, General Manager at Slinfold, said: ‘It’s a privilege to support Billy with his extraordinary talent. Our team of coaches do a fantastic job in teaching him and our other junior golfers, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. Rory McIlroy had better watch out!’

Billy continues to develop his game. As well as hitting a 242-yard drive (admittedly downhill) he has a fine short game and nearly chipped in his first hole-in-one with a 7-iron. Now, the coaches at Slinfold, including Matt Cornall and fellow PGA Professional Will O’Halloran, are helping him improve his swing as he aims for future success.

Billy said: ‘Last week, the coaches showed me how to keep my arm straight when I swing, which helps to generate more power. I could see from the simulator that the ball speed was faster and it went further down the range, so it worked. This year, I would like to get my first hole-in-one, but of course my dream would be to one day win the Masters.’

Further information: For more details about golf membership for both adults and juniors at Slinfold, visit: www.slinfoldclub.co.uk/membership and to follow Billy’s journey, visit www.billystott.com

Originally published in AAH (All About Horsham) Magazine on 1st February 2026. Words by Ben Morris. Photography by Alan Wright.