CALIFORNIA is the destination for a talented five-year-old Harvington golfer as he tackles the IMG Junior World Championships.

Louis Rickett, a junior member at The Vale in Bishampton, will represent the United Kingdom in the under-sixes age group in San Diego from July 11 until 17.

The championships were founded in 1968 and attract participants from 57 countries, with past winners including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Rickett, who qualified along with three other five-year-olds for the UK, only started junior coaching at The Vale five months ago after first picking up a golf club at the age of two.

He has been helped by club professionals Ryan Dix and Harry Thompson and is now regarded as one of England’s hottest young talents.

Dix said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Louis.

“From day one, we recognised he had an extraordinary talent.

“We, as a club, are so proud of what he has achieved in such a short period of time.”

Since January, the youngster’s rise has seen him win the eight-year-old category in the Gloucestershire EZGO tournament by 14 shots.

Rickett then finished second against older children in the European Junior Tour at Warwickshire’s Nailcote Hall.

Thompson said: “When you see Louis, it is very hard to believe he can hit a golf ball so far.

“He is so small for his age but manages to compete and beat children who are twice his size.

“To have qualified for such a prestigious event for the year above him is quite remarkable.”

To send Rickett to compete in the USA is going to cost £5,000 so his family are contacting local businesses to ask for any support they can offer to help their son fulfil his dream.

He has a fundraising page at facebook.com/louisrickett and his parents can be contacted on 07724 979841.

The Vale hold a junior coaching programme every Saturday and Sunday for children aged from five to 18.

Anyone interested can call the club on 01386 462520.

Meanwhile, Harvington Golf Club members competed for the May medal in sunshine and a cold easterly wind.

Only Simon Allsop (20 handicap) took advantage of the favourable conditions, returning 62 nett to set the target.

The following day produced overcast, drizzly weather followed by warm sunshine and a south-westerly wind.

On softened greens, Jeremy Saunders (12) returned 59 to win by three shots with Roy Hope (25) third on 64 and Roger Vick (22) fourth on 65.

Evesham ladies played a hidden holes contest in a howling gale with some rain.

A good field took part with the winner being Jill Cleary ahead of runner-up Annie Bird.

Broadway men’s better-ball Joe Steward Trophy was played in torrential rain and blustery winds.

Steward’s widow presented the pair of trophies, in memory of her late husband, to Christopher Bennett and Mark Steadman, who won with 43 points.

Runners-up Steve Griffin and Mike Humpston managed 41 and Paul Bennett and Alistair Rogers were third on count-back.

Warren McDivitt and Mike Barnes were fourth with 40.

The ladies were in the Mail on Sunday National Golf Classic fourth round and beat visitors Chipping Norton 4-1 in light drizzle that soon gave way to sunshine.

Linda Carruthers, Vicky Watkins, Jane Wheeler, Rachel Rigg and Sue Barker were in fine form.