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On course to be great

17/ 4/2008

MANCHESTER Golf Club has a star in the making, and she’s only eight-years-old.

Katie Jane Stanley was introduced to the game three years ago by her father Lee, and she has gone from strength to strength.

She recently competed in a British Junior Golf Tour Pre-Season Taster, played over nine holes at the Douglas Valley course in Bolton, and won with a score of 51.

Her reward is a place in the final at the Marriott Course in the Forest of Arden.

Katie, sponsored by JLG UK, of Stakehill, Middleton, will now embark on a summer tour with Lancashire and play in a series of competitions at a selection of courses.

She has also been chosen to play in the US Kids European Championships at the Gullane Golf Club, East Lothian, Scotland, in May.

Last month she took part in the Get Into Golf National Skills Challenge at the Hopwood course, under the watchful eyes of assistant professional Scott Connor, and was only one point short of achieving a Platinum Award.

Katie’s ambition is to become a professional golfer, and according to Scott she has all the right credentials.

He said: "Katie is on the right track and doing all the right things. She has a fantastic technique and is very sound technically. She also has the right temperament, and a superb work ethic. She will make an excellent golfer."

Katie’s talent has also been recognised by Mercedes-Benz, Manchester Central, who are providing a car for her tour in Scotland.