Callum rising to the top

ST ALBANS rising star Callum Walker enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime last weekend as he locked horns with Britain's finest young golfers at the HSBC Wee Wonders Grand Final at St Andrews.

The Ss Albans and Stephen Catholic Junior School pupil, 10, beat off competition from a record 4,000 competitors to qualify for his third appearance at the national final.

Walker, who plays at Mill Green Golf Club, finished 17th on the ultra windy St Andrews fairways and has already set his sights on life as professional golfer.

"I had a couple of practice rounds before the competition but it was quite difficult on the first day because it was so windy," said Walker - who had finished third and fourth in previous finals.

"I got into golf when my mum just saw an advert in the paper for people to go and try and play the game. I just went and enjoyed it and hopefully I can be a golfer one day in the future.

"I went to the World Championships at Pinehurst in America last year and finished 60th out of about 130 which was good and hopefully I can keep improving."

Walker booked his spot in Scotland after finishing second at the regional qualifying round at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club earlier this year.

And European Tour star Nick Dougherty - a prot�g� of six-time major winner Nick Faldo - believes Walker has all the attributes to go all the way to the top.

"The standard at the final was absolutely phenomenal and the good thing is that the kids have got really great attitudes and they learn really great lessons from the tournament," said Dougherty.

"The talent on show was absolutely fantastic and there is no doubt that Callum has got fantastic potential in the sport."

HSBC is committed to growing golf at grassroots level. In the UK, HSBC supports a number of initiatives, including the HSBC Wee Wonders tournament; open to all young golfers aged between five and 12. For more information visit www.hsbcweewonders.com