A YOUNG golfer from Kendal will play against the top European juniors in January after qualifying for the 5th Junior European Open in Andalucia, Spain.

Ross Coates, 14, of Burneside Road, reached the prestigious competition for the first time after winning the Daily Express Junior Golf Competition at Low Laithes Golf Club, Wakefield.

Ross won the one-round strokeplay tournament by two shots, with a round of 76 on the 72 par course.

He said: “It felt really good and I had been practicing for it quite a bit. I hoping to play really well and it will be good to get some experience playing abroad.”

A member of Carus Green Golf Club since the age of 10, this is Ross’ biggest tournament to date but he has previously represented the Cumbria Junior under 14s and under 16s, while he has also been selected to play in the North of England under 16 squad for 2011 “In the next year I hope to keep developing, get my handicap down and see how far I can get,” said Ross.

“The staff at Carus Green have been really supportive and Andrew [Pickering] has been coaching me for the last couple of years. I have played all over the north and my favourite course has to be at Carlisle Golf Club.”

Ross, who has a handicap of four, said his idol is world number one Lee Westwood. He added: “He is a really steady player and it would be great to get to the top of the game like he has.”

He attends Queen Katherine School and would like to go into joinery if his dream to be a golfing professional fails to materialise.

Parents Lesley and Robin are proud of Ross’ qualification and Robin will travel to Andalucia to cheer him on in the five-day contest.

Mrs Coates said: “We are very proud of Ross and how far he has come over the last few years. He first went down with a friend to a junior lesson at Carus Green and has been hooked since.”

Ross’ coach, Andrew Pickering, one of two head professionals at Carus Green, said: “Ross has reached the competition through his hard work and a lot of practising.

“He is progressing well and the trip to Andalucia will be another learning curve for him and I hope he has a good performance and experience out there.”

But Ross is not the first youngster from Carus Green to play on the European circuit. Several years ago Jamie McDonald, now 19, qualified for a junior European Open.

Mr Pickering added: “We are really trying with the kids and want to make Carus Green the place to learn golf. Anyone can come down here and have a go and hopefully we can make the sport more accessible to everyone.”