GOLF: Ever since the first day she hit a golf ball at the tender age of five, Nadine Williams showed she had natural talent for the game.Two years down the road and the Ipswich schoolgirl, who will not be eight until November, has already had success in a national competition that has earned a trip to America next summer.

EVER since the first day she hit a golf ball at the tender age of five, Nadine Williams showed she had natural talent for the game.

Two years down the road and the Ipswich schoolgirl, who will not be eight until November, has already had success in a national competition that has earned a trip to America next summer.

Nadine, a pupil at Castle Hill Junior School, finished third in the seven-eight-year-old section at the final of the Wee Wonders at Foxhills in Surrey.

She had to wait for three days before confirmation that she will be off to America next July, and Nadine has taken her success all in her stride.

"She does not boast or brag about it," said her mother Sharon. "In fact it's her brother Bradley who has been telling people about her achievement."

There seems no limit what Nadine could go on and achieve. She has impressed professionals like Kelvin Vince and Alex Lucas, and if she stays with the game her future could be a golden one.

Sharon is not totally sure and said: "Hopefully she'll stick it out, but if she decides to stop I wouldn't force her to carry on. Nadine now wants to take up karate."

It was when her father Robert first took up the game two years ago that Nadine showed more than a passing interest.

Once she had got a club in her hand there was no stopping her and for a girl of her age, her progress has been phenomenal.

Kelvin Vince said: "Nadine has a great swing and she hits the ball more than 100 yards which is absolutely brilliant for her age."

Nadine had to come through several rounds of the Wee Wonders that is supported by the PGA, to take her place at Foxhills.

The format of the final was each competitor had 36 strokes available and had to get as far round the course as possible.

Nadine reached the seventh fairway, and might have done better had she not got stuck in two bunkers that cost her shots.

The winner of her age group, Ashley Cramond reached the eighth green and runner-up Maghan MacLaren the seventh green.

Now she can look forward to a trip to America in 2003 and her mother said that the whole family would be going as well to incorporate a holiday.

"At the moment we have no idea in America where Nadine will be playing," said Sharon "and have not yet had confirmation of the actual date".

Next month Nadine will receive national exposure when Sky TV will be showing the final from Foxhills on October 16.

A member at both Cretingham and Fynn Valley, Nadine receives personal coaching from Alex Lucas and group coaching from Kelvin Vince and also goes to Felixstowe once a month where she joins in with the Suffolk boys who receive tuition from Ian McPherson.

Suffolk's other hope Hugo Dobson, son of Bourne Hill and Stonham Barns professional Tony, didn't have a very good day at Foxhills.