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01:08 GMT, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 02:08 UK

Youngsters display drive for golf

Young golfers from 34 countries have converged on East Lothian for a massive international tournament.

Almost 500 children, aged from seven to 14, are taking part in the inaugural US Kids Golf European Championship at Gullane.

They include some of the most talented young golfers from Scotland as well as Asia, Europe, the US and South America.

An opening ceremony was held on Monday, and the tournament will tee off on Tuesday morning.

Boys and girls in each age group will compete against each other at Gullane and three other courses across East Lothian.

Wee wonders

The best two players in each age group will then take part in a final Ryder Cup-style tournament pitting Europe against the rest of the world.

Even the seven-year-olds must have completed 18 holes in under 94 strokes to qualify for the competition.

Competitors include Maxwell Martin, a 10-year-old player from Warwickshire with a handicap of 9.7, who has won numerous British titles including the HSBC Wee Wonders Championship, and is one of Britain's best hopes in the tournament.

Ciera Mia, a 12-year-old girl, has travelled more than 7,000 miles to get to East Lothian from Hawaii.

Meanwhile, Demetri Kotsovolos will compete in the tournament despite a three-year battle against cancer since he was diagnosed at the age of just five.

It is the first time the US Kids Golf Foundation, an organisation started in 2001 to boost youth golf in America, has held an event in Europe.

If it is a success it is likely to be held in Scotland every year.




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