BOTLEY schoolgirl Poppy Cooper is keen to follow in the footsteps of Bournemouth golf star Georgia Hall, winner of this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Ten-year-old Poppy has to balance other leisure pursuits and homework with time spent on the course – and has even given up dance classes to concentrate on golf.

She is one of 25 aspiring junior players at Cams Hall Estate Golf Club (CHEGC), Fareham, who get together for a weekly Golf Hangout, playing on the nine-hole Park Course.

Not only does Poppy go that extra mile by combining this with practice on the range at Hedge End, she also has lessons from her father, Malcolm Cooper, one of two professional coaches at CHEGC.

Malcolm, who has been the golf pro at the Botley Park, Meon Valley and Hayling clubs, has the special responsibility of nurturing the junior section at Cams.

The CHEGC ladies’ captain Isabel Kent and men’s captain Neil Chalmers fully support the policy of encouraging young players and are adamant that men and women, boys and girls have equal status.

This month Cams Hall will mark its 25th anniversary with the whole club swept up in the celebrations.

There will be a black tie dinner for founder members on Thursday, October 11 where Jason Neve, the club’s first professional, will give an after-dinner speech.

An Anniversary Salver and Social Day involving all club members follows on Saturday, October 13. Over 130 players are expected to take part, most competing on the 18-hole Creek Course.

Others will play on the nine-hole Park Course which will also stage an individual game especially for the junior members.