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Tips from the top man

Ria Nortcliffe
24/10/2007

TWO young golfers went a ‘fairway’ to improving their game when they got the chance to meet and get tips from Europe’s most successful golfer, Nick Faldo.

Cousins Edward Fluck, eight, and Lucy Fesmer, nine, from Alderley Edge, swung past the opposition to be selected to take part in the Faldo Mini Series for the under-12s, at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.

The fledgling golfers, chosen at random, joined the other 22 lucky winners from across the country at the event where they met six-time Major winner Nick Faldo and enjoyed a day of golf activities.

Lucy’s mum, Jane, who is also a keen golfer, said: "Both of our families play golf, but Lucy and Edward are beginners and only took up junior coaching at Wilmslow Golf Club about four months ago.

"They both entered the draw at the club and amazingly they were both picked to join the group of 12 boys and 12 girls taking part in the programme.

"It was very exciting and lovely for them to be able to improve their skills and meet Nick Faldo himself."

The youngsters attended a short-game clinic presented by Faldo and were then given the opportunity to ask him about his thoughts on the game and his 30 years of golfing experiences.

The boys and girls also took part in a chipping competition and watched a golf performance by trick-shot expert Paul Barrington.

This is the second year of the Faldo Mini Series, which is organised in conjunction with the Golf Foundation.

It is hoped that by offering these young golfers a chance to meet Faldo, they will be inspired to work hard at improving their game and perhaps even progress on to the Faldo Series itself.

Faldo said: "These are potential golf stars of the future and I hope that I can help them to really get to grips with the game and perhaps offer them some insight of my own.

"I would be delighted to see any of them stepping out onto the fairways at a Faldo Series event in the future."

Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: "The future of golf is all about getting youngsters excited about the sport and giving them the chance to play.

"The Faldo Mini Series fulfils these two aims admirably.

"There is a growing list of short course competitions under the Mini Series banner and the presence of Nick Faldo on the day created a fantastic occasion for the youngsters."