Boost for Faldo Junior Series

The Faldo Junior Series 2000 has received a boost with the English Golf Union confirming the events held in England will qualify for handicapping purposes.

John Powell, director of the Faldo Junior Series, said: "To be granted handicapping status by the

EGU is great news for us because ultimately it benefits our competitors. With entries coming in thick and fast for the 2000 Series, the timing is ideal."

Leading amateur junior golfers will have the chance to play at venues new to the series - Woburn, Stoke Poges and Blairgowrie - as well as last year's courses, including Loch Lomond, Royal St George's and Royal Portcawl.

To enter, players must have been aged 17 or under on January 1 and have a handicap according to their age group: Boys Under-18 (handicap limit 6); Boys U-17 (7); Boys U-16 (8); Boys U-15 (9); and Girls U-18 (12). There will be three events in each of five regions, with the five leading players from each region qualifying for the Series final, hosted by Nick Faldo.

The venues and dates are as follows: Southern England - Stoke Poges (Bucks), Monday, April 17; Royal St George's (Kent), Wednesday, April 26; St Mellion (Cornwall), Monday, July 31; Midlands & East Anglia - Royal West Norfolk, Friday, March 24; Woburn (Beds), Tuesday, April 4; Frilford Heath (Oxon), Thursday, June 1; Northern England - Ganton (Yorkshire), Friday, March 31; Royal Liverpool (Merseyside), Friday, August 4; Lindrick (Notts), Thursday, August 24; Scotland - Royal Dornoch (Highlands), Thursday, April 6; Loch Lomond (Dunbartonshire), Thursday, April 13; Blairgowrie (Perthshire), Monday, July 17; Wales - Marriott St Pierre (Monmouthshire), Friday, April 28; Royal St David's (Harlech), Wednesday, July 19; Royal Porthcawl (Bridgend), Tuesday, August 22.

The entry deadline for the Faldo Junior Series 2000 is February 25. Call the head office on 0181- 879 1001 for an entry form.