12 months ago in Morocco, a 16-year-old Charley Hull made her professional debut. Having turned pro two months earlier, she would finish in a tie for second behind (another teenage sensation) Ariya Jutanugarn. It would be the first of an astonishing five consecutive runner-up finishes on the Ladies European Tour, which laid the foundations for a year that would see her claim the Rookie of the Year honours.

But for most, Hull truly came to prominence during the Solheim Cup, with her seemingly unflappable demeanour and respectful attitude contrasting with that of many more experienced players during the event. It was refreshing. Not to mention her stunning quality of play during that August week in Colorado, culminating in a comfortable defeat of American major winner Paula Creamer in the Singles, Hull provided a truly memorable moment on what was to become an historic day for Team Europe.

Now a year on from that initial foray into the professional game, Hull would return to the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco. The first chapter of her professional career came full circle, as she claimed the title in brilliant fashion. Shooting a final round of 62 (the lowest on the day by four shots), Hull would finish up in a playoff alongside Gwladys Nocera. Standing on the par three 18th tee, the Englishwoman would produce the most exquisite of four irons to send her ball to within five feet of the pin. Despite the understandable nerves, she would convert the putt to claim her maiden victory just days before her 18th birthday.

What next for Charley? A transition onto the lucrative LPGA Tour is inevitable, but we can be sure that it will be done in a sensitive fashion. Playing without a sponsor last year, on the advice of her father, Hull was able to put all of her attention on the game itself. And that is typical of the solid advice and grounding from which she has been able to develop as a player and person.

Being home-schooled from the age of 13, Charley was afforded the opportunity to play tournament golf. It was from this that she would be able to reach a high of third on the Amateur Golf Rankings, and make her Curtis Cup debut in 2012. Her father, a plasterer by trade, introduced Charley to the game at the age of 2, and her early aptitude for the sport was most evident when she won the UK National Ladies Championship at the age of 9.

However, despite this whirlwind progression in the game, Hull has also developed into a mature and well-balanced young woman.

Unlike the stereotype of many child prodigies, Hull appears to have a balanced life away from the game. Even a quick glance at her Twitter page will illustrate that she has a wide circle of friends, and enjoys many other activities outside of the game. It has been said that many young players become consumed by their sport and the pursuit of unattainable perfection, and ultimately damaged by it. But that is most certainly not the case with Hull, and that is a credit to her parents and indeed herself.

It bodes well for a successful career ahead, as does her attitude towards the game itself. It’s apparent to anyone who has seen her play or talk about the game, that Charley quite simply enjoys playing golf. It’s not an arduous chore, but something that she clearly relishes. It’s fun for her, and also for the people who watch her navigate around the golf course. She plays with an enthusiastic aggression that will undoubtedly appeal to young girls in England – who have been long crying out for a golfing role-model to idolize.

As she looks forward to being able to buy her first legal drink in the United Kingdom on Thursday, Charley will be toasting her success in Morocco and the promise of much more to come in future.