Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame is cheering on Pub Supervisor Michaela Hill as she prepares to represent England at the FIFG FootGolf World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico next week.

Michaela, who has worked at Dartford pub The Wharf since 2024, has secured sponsorship from the Faversham-based brewer for the international tournament.

Currently ranked among the top three players on the England FootGolf Tour, the 26-year-old recently helped the England squad secure victory at the Four Nations tournament in Wales.

She first discovered FootGolf in 2019 after entering a tournament at the last minute while supporting a friend who was playing.

“I came third in my first ever tournament, which was a surprise,” she said. “I then managed to make the UK squad for the Jansen Cup, which is like our version of the Ryder Cup, held at Celtic Manor in Wales later that year.”

Michaela went on to complete in the Jansen Cup in 2022 in Florida and made the England squad for the 2023 World Cup, also held in Florida. She said: “It was a surreal experience with over 100 players. I was sharing the fairways with some of the world’s best.”

FootGolf combines the rules and format of golf with football, with players aiming for birdies and avoiding bogeys while kicking a football into enlarged holes across tees, fairways and greens.

Michaela explained:

“It’s basically golf, but you kick a football and the holes are bigger!”

The tournament starts on Wednesday (May 27) with two opening rounds, followed by a cut-off and a final ranking. Michaela, who is currently undertaking a Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship with Shepherd Neame, will compete in the Individual category.

“I'm very excited,” she said. “Representing England is always an honour. I've never been to Mexico before, so it's going to be a new experience, adapting to the climate and course conditions.

English courses are quite different in order to cope with our lovely, rainy weather!"

“I'm very grateful to Shepherd Neame for their sponsorship. It’s means a lot to represent both England and the company on the world stage.”

Shepherd Neame’s Head of Brands, Rose Davis, said:

“We are delighted to support Michaela on her journey to Mexico to represent England in the FIFG FootGolf World Cup. We are always proud to see our team members succeeding both professionally and personally, and wish her the best of luck in the tournament.”

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