A TALENTED junior member of St Mellion Golf Club has won a place in the prestigious HSBC-sponsored Wee Wonders Grand Final being staged at St Andrews this weekend.

Golf-mad 11-year-old Niall Hutton, who lives with his parents and older brother at the complex, near Saltash, beat off stiff competition from hundreds of competitors at local and regional heats to secure a place in the final.

Wee Wonders is a national open golf event offering boys and girls aged between five and 12 the opportunity to progress from coaching programmes into competitive golf.

Niall, who has been playing golf since he was six, is a member of Cornwall County Under 14s and is coached at St Mellion International Resort by Head Professional Darren Gass. He will start at Callington Community College in September.

Proud mum, Julie, said: 'Niall is very excited about competing at St Andrews, the home of golf, in the final of the 10-11 age category.

'He's competed in the regional heats twice before, but never got through to the final.

'We've all got our fingers crossed for him – but thanks to Darren he is well-prepared both mentally and physically.'

Niall, who has a handicap of 12, will compete in two 18-hole medal rounds on St Andrew's Strathtyrum Course over the two-day final.

Darren added: 'I've been coaching Niall since he joined the club and I am extremely proud of his achievement. He is a talented young golfer and a credit to the club.'

Niall is pictured above in the Cornwall Under-14s team.