LITTLE Kelly Tidy never forgot the advice Ernie Els gave her last summer after winning the M.E.N. Manchester Junior Open at Sale.

"He told me to keep going and I'd make it one day," said the 10-year-old Dunscar starlet who, along with our other winners, had their swings checked out by the Big Easy as an extra special treat.

Els, who won the Open Championship last month, won't be at Sale on Tuesday for this year's tournament but organiser Martin Wild is hoping to entice a big name to present the prizes.

Lasting impression

"Ernie was a one-off because he was visiting Manchester but he made an everlasting impression of the youngsters and I'll bet every one of them was rooting for him at Muirfield," said Wild.

"This is the sixth time we've run the event and it's a popular as ever with nearly 150 taking part."

Kelly, whose swing was described as "textbook" by Els, heeded his words and since meeting him has seen her handicap reduced by five shots to 23 after finishing second playing with Lancashire Girls at Childwall and was runner-up in the Jubilee Trophy, a senior event, at Dunscar.

She is determined to retain her Open crown, and under the tutelage of Hart Common pro and Lancashire coach Gareth Benson, she feels in good shape.

Kelly can expect some tough competition from Alder Root's Kristie Reid, our winner in 2000, and Leigh's Michelle Naylor who, off nine, is the only single figure girl in the field.

A late entry is Lancashire Boys' player Martyn Hamer, from North Manchester who, has had a relatively quiet season because he's been studying.

But Martyn, son of former England international Steve, expects to get back into the winning groove now he's obtained the GCSE grades he wanted.