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RINGWOOD ace Faye Carpenter enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime last weekend as she locked horns with Britain's finest young golfers at the HSBC Wee Wonders Grand Final at St Andrews.

The St Michael's Middle School pupil, who beat off competition from a record number of 3,800 competitors to qualify for the main event in Scotland, just missed out on a podium finish with rounds of 78 and 80 over the 18-hole course.

Faye, who plays at Knighton Heath Golf Club, finished a creditable joint fourth on the testing St Andrews fairways but the 11-year-old is already dreaming of a return in 2009 to land the top prize.

"This is the fifth time I have played in the Wee Wonders finals and I always look forward to coming along," she said.

"I started playing when I was about two - I just picked up a club and was swinging it about and apparently people thought I was good so I was taken along to the club.

"I really enjoy playing, it's really good fun and there are lots of people who I play with who I am friends with now.

"I can't wait to come back for my sixth year and hopefully I can do even better."

Wee Wonders founder Alasdair Good - regarded as one of the world's best junior coaches, hailed the 106-strong field in Scotland and predicted Dorset youngster Faye could one day return to St Andrews as an Open champion.

"To get to play St Andrews is every golfers dream," he said. "It is miles away from the clubs that so many youngsters have joined and the places they have played so it's a great experience.

"In the years to come I'm sure we'll see Faye lifting the Claret Jug and I'll be delighted they can say I got into golf playing the Wee Wonders."

HSBC is committed to growing golf at grassroots level. In the UK, HSBC supports a number of initiatives, including the HSBC Wee Wonders tournament; open to all young golfers aged between five and 12. For more information visit www.hsbcgolf.com

7:19pm Friday 29th August 2008

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