A YOUNG golfer will realise a sporting dream when he heads to the world s most famous golf course. Nine-year-old Nathan Jackson, from St Ives, will head to St Andrews later this month to take part in the Wee Wonders National Golf Competition. Nathan, who

A YOUNG golfer will realise a sporting dream when he heads to the world's most famous golf course.

Nine-year-old Nathan Jackson, from St Ives, will head to St Andrews later this month to take part in the Wee Wonders National Golf Competition.

Nathan, who attends St Anne's School in Godmanchester, qualified for the competition by winning an event at Cambridge Lakes and another at Aldwickbury Golf Course.

The final, to be broadcast live by Sky Sports, will be played over two days as the most talented young golfers in the country battle it out to be declared national champion.

Should Nathan win the event, he will jet to America to play in the World Junior Championships.

Dad Simon Jackson, said: "We are very, very proud of Nathan. He works incredibly hard, especially for a nine-year-old lad.

"He loves the sport and is always practising. I take him to training and we are very pleased with all the effort he has been and is, putting in.

"We have always told Nathan that to be good at something you have to work hard but you have to enjoy it at the same time and this is a reward for all the hours he has dedicated to the sport."

Nathan has been playing golf since he was five, is a member at Lakeside Lodge Golf Club, and is coached by PGA professional Andy Fletcher.

The young star has a handicap of 21, which he aims to reduce to 16 by the end of 2007.

The Wee Wonders Championships began in 1995 and this year attracted more than 3,000 competitors at 70 qualifying events and nine regional finals.

The Championships are open to boys and girls up to the age of 12 - Nathan plays in the boys' nine and 10 age group.

In qualifying at regional heats, each player starts at the first hole and has 36 shots to get as far around the course as possible.

The grand final is a two-round strokeplay competition.

Event founder Alisdair Good said: "Wee Wonders has been running for more than 10 years and in that time we have seen much progress and development.

"Many thousands of children get to experience a golfing opportunity, some for the first time, and use the experience to teach them something more valuable about life and their own personal development."

INFORMATION: For more details on the competition, visit: www.hsbcweewonders.com