WHISPER it quietly, but Dorset may have a future golfing superstar on its hands - and he's only five, writes Nick Carter.

Jamie Carpenter first picked up a golf club at 18 months and now he's already a national winner and could be in with the chance of being world champion by the time he reaches the age of six.

The Poole youngster recently won both the Dorset and West Country under-sixes golf tournaments. But he wasn't prepared to stop there - triumphing at the national final of the HSBC Wee-wonders Open Golf Tournament at St Andrew's in Scotland last Sunday.

Now he's set to jet off to become the next Tiger Woods and join his 11 Great Britain and Ireland teammates at the USA Kids Golf World Championship, to be held in Virginia next July.

The news means golf-mad dad Jason and mum Nikki, of Magna Road, have more to celebrate after daughter Fay, seven, reached the UK final, also at St Andrew's, last year.

Mr Carpenter told the Echo: "We're so proud of them both, and we're very chuffed for Jamie."

Like Fay, Jamie is a member of the Dorset Golf and Country Club at Bere Regis and will face fellow under-sixes from across the world, including Australia and South Africa.

It's a tough challenge, but Mr Carpenter is sure Jamie can overcome it. "He's the best in the country for his age," he said, "so there's no reason why he can't go all the way."

Winning comes at a cost, though. Several thousand pounds to be exact.

With both mum and dad joining Jamie for his trip, it's a costly business chasing world glory. But when you're a proud parent of the hottest young golfer in the country, it's worth it.

First published: Oct 1