NORTON schoolgirl Isabel Foley, aged 12, a member of Woodham golf club, is appealing for more girls to join her in what she considers a great game.

She is the only junior girl member of the ladies' section, and although she loves playing with the women, she would like someone of her own age to join her.

Isabel has been playing for 18 months and was taught by club professional Ernie Wilson, as a member of the youth tuition group. But the rest of the regular players are boys.

"Some people think golf is only for rich people but it is not. To join Woodham as a junior costs only about £45 for a full year. And this means I can play as much as I want. During the summer holiday, I played nearly every day. At the start of the season my handicap was 45 and now it is down to 24."

Isabel comes from a golfing family. Her parents, Jim and Margaret, and her ten-year-old brother, Tim and six-year-old sister, Alice, can be seen on the course.

Mrs Foley said: "The younger they are the better. We have found Woodham to be a very junior-friendly course, and we know that Isabel has made many friends since joining the ladies' section. We are quite content for her to play all day on the course. We know where she is and we know that there are many people to keep an eye on her. It is very encouraging that the ladies allow Isabel to play in their competitions."

Isabel, who attends St Michael's RC school in Billingham, has been selected to play for the county and was included in the coaching squad and played at Halifax in the junior jamboree. She has won junior competitions at Woodham and came second in the Appleby bowl competition at Ryton.

Mr Wilson, the coach, has been very impressed at Isabel's skill and would like to see efforts made to get her into the under-13s English girls' team programme.

Anne Sales, the ladies' junior liaison officer, said: "We are certainly keen to encourage young girls like Isabel and would like to see more young girls joining us, for youngsters are the future of the sport."

For more information about playing with the Woodham ladies, write to Anne Sales at the club or ring the club pro on 01325 315257