Young Tom's a winner at 8!

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Tom Hartshorne outshone more than 100 competitors to win the Grassholme Goblet at Rockliffe Hall. Tom, who plays off 20, first picked up a golf club just weeks after he started walking.

He now regularly plays in competitions and with his dad, Ally, who plays off three and is Rockliffe Hall’s current Player of the Year.

Tom said: “I love golf and really wanted to show everyone how good I am, so I’m so happy that I won.”

One hundred and twelve Rockliffe Hall members set out on the first round and the best 40 made the cut for the second round in the afternoon. At this stage Tom was in fourth place, two shots off the lead.

He played perfectly in round two and beat off stiff competition to win the trophy on four under par nett. Tom’s dad, Ally, said: “It’s been a whirlwind since Tom won. We’ve had so much attention and we’re so proud of him.

“The most important thing is that he plays golf to enjoy it because that’s what it’s all about. He could go on to be a top golfer – he wants to one day win The Open - but he is only eight years old and we just want him to have fun.

“His friends are so proud of him too and he’s getting a lot of them interested in the sport, which is great.”