golf By Amanda Little

Last updated at 13:51, Thursday, 09 October 2008

Teenage county golfer Seb Crookall-Nixon hopes an impressive display for England in their home international clash with Ireland this weekend will see him digging out his passport for South Africa and Japan.

Shield of dreams: Seb Crookall-Nixon with the English Boys under-16 trophy

The 15-year-old, who is dreaming of a career as a European Tour professional, helped England boys to victory over Scotland at South Staffs Golf Club last weekend when he defeated Shaun Connor 4&3 in his match.

He will win his fourth England cap this weekend when he is part of the England under-16 team set to do battle with Ireland at Bury St Edmonds.

Another impressive performance could secure Crookall-Nixon’s place on the plane for 10 days warm-weather training and match against South Africa in January organised by the English Golf Union.

The later in 2009 he will be hoping to be part of the England under-16 team to travel to Japan for a tournament.

Crookall-Nixon is enjoying a spectacular year in which the teenage scratch player underlined his potential by winning the English Boys’ Under-16 Strokeplay Championship in July.

He went on to become the youngest-ever player to represent the Cumbria men’s team when he played in the victory over Yorkshire.

The chance to play on foreign soil is all part of the learning curve as he aims to fulfil his ambition of one day playing on the European Tour.

The youngster, from Papcastle, near Cockermouth, said: “Going to South Africa and Japan would be the experience of a lifetime.

“This has been my year and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot. There’s definitely more to come from me and I just hope I can keep on progressing.

“Playing for England under-16s and having the coaching sessions is bringing me on in leaps and bounds. It would be great to go to South Africa. Seven or eight players will be going and I’m just hoping I’ll be one of them.

“It would take me a step closer to becoming a professional golfer one day.”

The Cockermouth School pupil made his England under-16 debut in an international against Spain last month.

He was part of the England side which defeated Scotland 8-2 in their weather-curtailed home international at South Staffs Golf Club last weekend.

Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the five foursomes but it relented sufficiently for the ten singles to take place in the afternoon.

Crookall-Nixon is now hoping to reproduce his impressive form against Ireland this weekend, and will play in a practice round tomorrow.

He said: “Once I went one-up last weekend, I felt as if I was in control. We knew from the start it wasn’t going to be easy but we went out all guns blazing.

“I hope I can play well again this weekend. We feel as though we have a very strong team, and it’s just great to be part of it.”

ALittle@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:46, Thursday, 09 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk