Saltford golfer Canter gets England chance

Saltford golfer Laurie Canter's remarkable improvement this summer has been recognised by England, 12 months earlier than he expected.

The 19-year-old has been called into the England A squad and started his first training session at a three-day gathering at The Oakes Golf Club in York today.

He set a two-year plan to reach international status this summer, but his achievements have been rewarded a year earlier than he expected.

He said: "I was always hoping it would be this year, but the letter came as a nice surprise and this is the fulfilment of a dream."

There is still one more hurdle ahead of him. The squad of 16 is trimmed to 12 after Christmas so he needs to impress the selectors and coaches at four training sessions.

A performance camp at Liverpool's Hoylake course on November 2-3 is sandwiched between two sessions at the EGU headquarters at Woodhall Spa.

He said: "If I can carry on doing what I have been doing I should be able to stay in he squad.

"I shall certainly be watching all the other players carefully to see what tips I can pick up to improve my game and preparation."

Somerset county regular Canter won the Midland Youth Championship, the War Memorial Trophy at Burnham & Berrow and the Saltford Salver this year.

He was also given a taste of West Region PGA golf during the final Titleist-Footboy Young Professionals league at Bath.

Home assistant Rob Humpherson invited him to play as his amateur partner in the betterball. They finished second on countback with 44 stableford points, helped by a run of six successive birdies.

Each player featured on the card nine times. Humpherson carded a one-under-par 70 to share fifth in the individual event.

Canter hopes to play in Gloucester and Somerset PGA medals this winter to retain a competitive edge against better players.

"After all, that's what Chris Wood did," he said, referring to the Long Ashton player who has gone on to star in the British Open and become a European Tour regular at the age of 21.

Canter is also considering a trip to South Africa after Christmas.

"I have a friend who plays on the Sunshine Tour and I am looking to play some tournament golf," he said.

In between EGU training sessions, the player whose handicap dropped from plus one to plus three this summer plans to work on his short game.

He intends to seek help from former Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand Jnr and Adrian Bishop, the Somerset county coach from Wells.

"My long game has come on a lot but when you look at the top players like Chris Lloyd, who is great round the greens and plays aggressive golf, I know what I must work on."