A THORNTON golfer could be swinging his way to glory today (June 22) as he takes part in the Cheshire and North Wales and Lancashire Strokeplay Championship.

Scott Astin, 27, teed off at Shrigley Hall, Cheshire, hoping to 'putt' the other 90 odd hopefuls in the championship in their place.

Scott, pictured here outside Royal Lytham St Annes Royal Golf Club, explained the annual 18 hole tournament, which is organised by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), and said nearly 100 professional players will take part.

After the first round, only 40 players will make the cut.

On the second day 120 amateurs join the 40 professionals and split into teams of four, with one professional in each. The scoring for these will then be carried over into the next day.

At the end of the 36 holes, the team with the lowest score will win a cash prize, as will the overall professional player with the lowest score for 36 holes. Scott, who is a full time professional at Royal Lytham St Annes Golf Club, said he couldn't wait to get on the fairway and start playing, especially considering he came second in the championship last year.

He said: "I'm looking forward to playing, I quite like the course, and I have lots of good memories.

"It would be nice to go one better and win it, but we'll see what happens."

Having spent three years in America at the University of Alabama on a golf scholarship, Scott did his PGA exams and started working in the shop at Royal Lytham St Annes, until he became a professional.

"I'm lucky to be doing my hobby for a living. It's a great life."

Following the strokeplay championship, Scott faces the BUPA pro-am tournament in the Wirrall and the qualifier for next year's open, but perhaps his biggest challenge is the one taking place off the green -- Scott gets married before the summer's out.