Lane on road to England stardom

The programme selects youngsters who show the potential to become England under-18 players within the next two years.

Lane, who is seeded number one in the Warwickshire under-16 squad, is preparing himself for the winter season.

“There will be 12 weekend coaching sessions focusing on all aspects of the game,” said Lane. “I am really looking forward to it.

“I also have to do a week’s warm-weather training in Spain in February which should give me some advantage as I prepare for the spring.”

The 16-year-old, who also plays for Kenilworth men’s first team, is embarking on his AS studies at Princethorpe College having just received four A-stars and seven A grades at GCSE.

“It can be tough juggling my academic work with the golf but I do my best.

“Golf is an addictive sport. I just want to keep trying to improve.”

With a handicap of 3.9 and a drive of 280 yards to his credit the youngster seems set to continue to improve.

Coordinator of Princethorpe’s Gifted and Talented Sports Scheme, Sarah Cockayne said Lane was a an inspiration to the younger pupils at the school.

“He is a top quality sportsman,” said Cockayne. “All eyes will be watching his progress with the England Development Programme.”

Just one shot separated the top six in the Joe Gardner Memorial stableford competition at Kenilworth Golf Club on Saturday.

Rob Bench emerged triumphant by virtue of a better back nine than Dean Sparrow, Nick Wright and Gary Connor after the quartet all scored 41 points.

David Elbourn finished fifth, again on countback, from Rob Owens after the pair both gained 40 points.

Tony Partridge, who won the club championship at Leamington & County as long ago as 1984, turned back the clock on Sunday when the Whitnash Club staged their Warwick Cup.

Now playing off a handicap of four, Partridge mastered windy conditions to return a trophy-winning 72 gross, nett 68, to finish two shots better off than Nicholas Oates (87-17-70). Junior captain James Matharu (76-6-70) was third.

Pat Eden won Kenilworth ladies’ Grannies Cup with a score of 38 points.

Leamington & County’s stableford three-ball alliance was won in style by Carol Robbins, Pauline Hayes and Daphne Smith.

The trio scored 77 points to finish nine clear of Liz Munton, Penny Holcroft and Betty Mann.

Martine Gilks, Corinne Budd and Rosie Skilbeck finished third with 67 points.

Warwick vice-captain Ian Scandrett led his team to victory in the annual captain’s versus vice-captain’s match.

Trevor Brown, with 37 points, was the highest scorer on the day, closely followed by Ian Buswell (36pts) and Dave Ward (36pts).