Golf juniors' chance to shine in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The 2009 final of the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, a breeding ground of many aspiring champions, will take place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Course from November 27-29.

The junior championship boasts some fine names as erstwhile winners, with Ryder Cup player Justin Rose being triumphant in 1997, following Andrew Coltart's example in 1986 and that of female counterparts Mhairi McKay (1991) and Rebecca Hudson, who won in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

With Stiggy Hodgson bowing out after two successful years, having passed the age limit, the reigning girls' champion, Carly Booth, who has also won for the last two years, will bow out from this year's tournament as a result of her commitment to school work.

This leaves the floor open for two new names to take their place among the list of former winners. Like Hodgson, Booth has an extremely promising golfing future ahead of her.

Last year, at the age of 15 years and 11 months, she was the youngest-ever player to represent Great Britain and Ireland in the 76-year history of the Curtis Cup. At the age of eight, she established a world record by playing to an official handicap of 18.