Young golfer targets Walker Cup

BEN Evans is fixing his gaze upon a place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 2007 Walker Cup after becoming the under-18 champion of the Faldo Junior Series.

The Staplecross-based Rye and Sedlescombe Golf Club member, 17, is hoping to play in the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup and then turn professional.

"I might be jumping in here," said father Glyn. "But I think his long term plan is to stay amateur for another three years. I'm hoping he makes the Walker Cup in 2007 and to turn pro after that."

Three years is a long time in the golfing world, though, so how does he plan to reach those exalted levels in 36 months' time?

One option could be the popular and successful American college system, which has honed the likes of Ryder Cup star Luke Donald.

"It's something that's been discussed," Glyn continued. "And he has had a couple of colleges that have offered him places. But he's not particularly academic and doesn't really want to go down that route at this stage '“ he would rather play on the amateur circuit in Europe.

"If he feels he's still competitive at that level he will stay here but if he then feels maybe he needs a break and to mix it up with something else he may well consider it at that point.