Young Norfolk golfers are being encouraged to take the next step in their development by playing for county sides.

Junior organiser Norman Blanch has vacancies in the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 teams and is anxious for them to be filled in good time for the get-togethers that precede the competitive action in the summer.

Only boys under a certain handicap are eligible for the older age-groups - but the under-12 team is open to any promising young player, providing he is a member of a Norfolk golf club.

Blanch pointed to the progress made by Dunston Hall's Toby Briggs, who has gone from being a member of the county's youngest team to number one in the world junior rankings in around six years, as a example of what can be achieved by getting into competitive golf at an early.

'Toby was with us right from the beginning and what he learnt at an early age certainly helped him progress,' he said. 'He has now gone on to bigger and better things, but you have to start somewhere.

'Obviously what he has achieved is exceptional - but whatever your handicap you can improve by playing for one of our county teams.

'There are still places available in the under-16, under-14 and under-12 teams - all players need to be under that age on January 1 this year.

'For the under-16s the maximum handicap is 18, for the under-14s it's 28 and for the under-12s there is no handicap. All players must be a member of a Norfolk golf club.

'If selected you would receive first class coaching, represent Norfolk against other counties, have transportation arranged for some away matches and learn the rules of golf,

'It also provides a chance to make new friends, be a team player, get to play other courses and learn course management,

'All this is provided for a £10 signing up fee which covers the whole year. I am sure there are talented young players out there who we don't know about and we would love to hear from them.'

The parents or guardians of any youngsters interested in getting involved should send the name of their son, together with handicap, name of golf club and date of birth, to norman.blanch@btinternet.com