A YOUNG Lancashire golfer is soaring high after securing one of the top positions in the Professional Golfers' Association Titleist Trainee of the Year award.

Richard Booth, from Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club, received a cash award of £2,500 at the PGA's training centre at The Belfry in the West Midlands after coming second.

The three-year training programme is designed to meet the needs of today's golf professional, who has a greater input and greater responsibility. This includes a more comprehensive syllabus to combine the skills of accountancy, psychology, counselling, marketing, retailing, teaching and sport science, as well as being a role model for young players.

Richard is pictured with the captain elect of the PGA, John Yeo (left) and sports minister Richard Caborn (centre).