AT THREE years old Alfie Burnett received a plastic golf club set, now, age 17, he has been accepted for a prestigious golfing scholarship to America.
Alfie, a Haslingden High School and Sixth Form student, is currently completing his A levels, but next summer he will relocate to Mississippi.
Hundreds of keen golfers from all over the world applied for the scholarship and just 10-12 were awarded junior university places at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Alfie, from Rawtenstall, said: “The first two years will see me perfecting my game and there are some new rules I will have to learn.
“The weather will be better out there and so that means the ball will fly further so I will have to get used to that.
“After two years, I will go on to a larger university for another two years and if I am number one at university, I will get an automatic card to the PGA which will be a major stepping stone onto a professional career.
“I aim to be the best and become a pro.”
Alfie plays six times a week for Hillside Golf Club in Southport, Clitheroe Golf Club and also represents Lancashire U18s.
He said: “I started at three, initially on mini golf, and soon I was on the driving range at Rawtenstall where I got used to distances. I found a sport I liked, it was fun and I was good at it.
“My handicap is +.7 and my best result in competitions was a couple of 69s when the par was 71 or 72.
“Watching golf is boring, but when you play it, it is quite fun, especially when you are playing well.”
Alfie even shared his favourite sport with the nation as he was interviewed by broadcast journalist Clare Balding when he was six for a TV programme.
He said: “I had to go to London for the filming and, on the episode, we had a little golf game.”