THREE years ago schoolboy Martyn Walsh had never even picked up a golf club - but now he's the proud owner of his own course.

To encourage his extraordinary talent, his parents Roy and Mary, both 41, have sacrificed their Wilmslow back garden to build the 100-yard long, all-weather strip.

The 14-year-old, who is aiming to be a professional golfer, has a full-size practice green, including a choice of tees, five holes and even bunkers.

The Cheadle Hulme School pupil first picked up a golf club two-and-a-half years ago and already has several titles to his name. His handicap has plummeted from 28 to five, putting him in the top bracket of amateurs in the country.

In his first year in competitions he came sixth in the England under-14s championship and won a recent championship in Liverpool by a record eight shots.

Mrs Walsh said: "When he started playing, his dad took it up to keep him company. Roy plays off a handicap of 21, but Martyn just gets better and better. He's got very good hand-to-eye co-ordination, a very good touch and can just see the shots.

Practises

"He practises every day for at least a couple of hours and more at weekends. No one in the family played golf before, but now we live and breathe golf in this house.

"Martyn's coming up to his GCSEs and the green gives him the chance to practise anytime and fit it in between his homework.

"His aim is to be a professional golfer and we would be delighted if he made it. But he knows there's a lot of hard work to get there."

Martyn, a member of Styal Golf Club, said: "I joined a club, had a whack and found I liked it. I really like competing.

"Next year I hope to play for England, do well in the national events and get my handicap down to scratch. Having this course is fantastic, it means I can practise all the time. My mum and dad say I can pay them back by buying them a house in Barbados if I make it."

Bob Cheetham, of Inter City Ltd, who built Martyn's course, said: "Martyn's obviously got a lot of ability. If this will help him get to the next level it would be fantastic. It will definitely give him an edge."

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