A TEENAGER who gave up hours of her own time to help younger children learn to play golf is on course for a career in the game.

Natasha Martin, now 19, started as a volunteer coach with Ramside Rookies two years ago.

Kevin Jackson, the head professional at the Ramside Golf Club, near Durham, was so impressed he invited her to start a three-year training program to become a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) golf professional.

Miss Martin, 19, from Beamish, near Stanley, quit her sports science degree at Northumbria University the next day.

“I am now doing what I have always wanted to do – learning to teach golf and work in the sport I love,” she said.

She is Ramside’s first female PGA trainee. She represented Durham County Ladies Golf Union at girls and senior level and was the most successful captain in the history of Durham Gilesgate Sixth Form Centre Golf Academy.

She has won the Ladies Club Championship at Beamish Park Golf Club twice and set a new ladies course record at Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club.