Record field lines up for The Bedford

Northants County’s George Elderton, who won the opening event last year as well as the end-of-season Grand Final, is chasing a unique hat-trick as he competes against 17 other players in the Gold Division.

The Silver and Bronze categories both feature 10 golfers, while 14 high-handicappers will play over nine holes for the Copper prizes.

On a day when 10 girls are taking part, all the players will receive free coaching as part of the Apprentice Supermarket Golf Academy.

With a dozen events being held on Sundays throughout the rest of the season at courses in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, places are filling up quickly for the other venues.

The next event on the 2015 Shires Junior Golf Tour is at Kibworth on Sunday, March 22, with Wellingborough becoming the first of five Northants venues to hold a tournament on Sunday, April 5.

Young golfers of all ages and standards are welcome to play.

For more details about how to compete on Shires Junior Golf Tour, visit www.shiresjuniorgolftour.co.uk or ring Paul Bull on 07824 666480.