Last updated 19:47, Thursday, 28 August 2008

PAPCASTLE schoolboy Seb Crookall-Nixon has taken another step towards his dream of becoming a professional.

The 14-year-old has been handed a place in the English Golf Union’s U16 squad for 2009, and will have the benefits of warm weather winter coaching in South Africa and expert advice on nutrition, physiotherapy and sports psychology.

It marks another major step forward for Crookall-Nixon, who made his England U16 debut in an international against Spain earlier this month.

He lost three and two on his debut at Heswall on Merseyside as England crashed to a 8½-3½ defeat, but is hoping for better luck next week when he is part of a three-man England team competing in an international field at the Italian Open, near Milan.

England U16 manager Tommy Flinn rang him on Tuesday to confirm his selection for next year, which caps an incredible year for the teenager.

He won the English Boys’ U16 Strokeplay Championship last month and also became the youngest-ever player to represent the Cumbria men’s team when he played in the victory over Yorkshire.