Putter of tiny feet as young get in swing

This weekend the Staffordshire youngster will be joined by eight-year-old Harrison Worley from Bloxwich and 14-year-old Aaron Rai from Perton as they take part in the USKids European Golf Championships in Scotland.

"I've been playing golf since I was two when I was given some golf clubs for my birthday," said Dawson, who lives on the Whitebridge Estate in Stone and is a pupil at Pirehill First School. My first club was a putter and because my dad Mark loved golf I got into it and then I received a five iron.

"However, I now have a whole new set that I take to competitions with me - my dad has to carry my bag for me though," added Dawson who, in his class, has won three British Junior Golf Tours.

This weekend the three youngsters, who all train at the Three Hammers Golf Complex in Coven, near Wolverhampton, will compete against children from 30 nations. They are taking part in Europe's premier junior tournament held in Gullane, Scotland and are hoping to win the European Van Horn Cup.

Harrison Worley has already won the Branston Open Tournament twice and the British Junior Golf Tour five times.

Harrison, aged eight, of Alnwick Road in Bloxwich said: "I'm new to the course and I'm hoping to enter next year so this year I just want the experience and I don't mind if I don't do well."

Harrison said his friends at Lower Farm Primary School are impressed by his golfing skills because not many youngsters know how to play. He started as a toddler when his father Vince bought him some plastic clubs.

"I started playing golf when I was just eighteen months old as I was constantly knocking balls around in the back garden with a stick," he says.

"I was given the plastic clubs ans they became my favourite toy. When I got my first real clubs my dad bought me right-handed ones but I kept turning the club around and playing left-handed.

"He couldn't change me and now I play with left-handed clubs and I also play cricket and snooker left handed."

Aaron Rai, 14, from Stephenson Drive in Perton has been going to the Three Hammers Golf Complex since he was four-years-old.

"Like a lot of children I started off with plastic clubs and when I was four I entered a golf competition and managed to beat a lad of 14," said Aaron who is a pupil at Wolverhampton Grammar School.

"Even though no one in my family is into golf my dad saw that I had a natural ability and now I have won three national titles and have represented Great Britain and Ireland in America for the last five years."

Aaron, who won the prestigious Reid Trophy last year, has been tipped by golfing experts to win this weekend's tournament.

"I think I stand a good chance of doing well," said Aaron who is sponsored in his golf by a Wolverhampton businessman.

"I don't find it an easy game to play but I just like getting out onto the course.

"There is no one that I aspire to be like - I just want to be the best that I can be."

Based in Coven, near Wolverhampton the Three Hammers is now the number one Golf Academy in the Midlands and sixth in the UK and Ireland, teaching more than 200 children each week.

Three Hammers PGA Professional and head coach Piers Ward, aged 32, teaches youngsters through their Young Masters Golf Programme. He says: "The talent of each of these kids is astonishing. They all have a natural ability but we've worked hard with them as well, doing training sessions every week.

"Professional players can have six different coaches who deal with different aspects including swing, the mind and putting - but we have training in all these areas."

Piers added that children need to start playing golf as soon as possible and some pick it up as soon as they can swing their arms.

Dawson added: "The best bit about golf is when you get to hit the ball and you see yourself getting better at putting.

"I get better each time I play - sometimes I hit a couple of bad shots but I just don't let it put me off."