DANIEL Gibson, of Sandiway Golf Club, admits he is delighted and honoured to be chosen as the captain of Cheshire Boys in 2019.

Gibson cited his own development in golf which gives a good outline to ambitious young golfers in Cheshire following suit.

He said: "At the age of nine I began going to Hartford Golf Club with my dad and instantly became hooked on the game.

"I joined the GM Academy and became a member of Portal and Hartford Golf Clubs.

“I began with a handicap of 23 and joined Sandiway a couple of years later.

“Since then I have won several competitions at Sandiway and played in lots of great matches for Cheshire, including the Boys Big Six.

“I was coached by Graham Moore from that early age and I have played in Spain in the GM Junior Spanish Open, where I qualified for the Junior World Championships in San Diego.

“In 2018, I played in the Carris Trophy and made the cut and was delighted when asked to be Sandiway junior captain – my current handicap is 0.1.

“Following a year at Reaseheath College, where I gained a sports diploma, I decided to concentrate on my golf and continue the hard work to be the best I can be, playing in the UK and in Spain.

“During the coming season I would like to reduce my handicap further and also add to my WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking).

“It is a great honour to be asked to captain the Under-18 Boys' squad for myself, my club and my family, and I am looking forward to and excited for the big fixtures such as the Four Counties and the Boys Big Six.

“I am extremely grateful for all the support and opportunities I have been given so far – this has to include Graham Moore, my coach and friend who sadly passed away suddenly last July.

“Graham was influential in my golf development, I have learned so much from him and have full admiration and respect for his knowledge and belief in me as a player and I appreciate that having belief in your own ability can only give you the confidence to play well.

“My thanks also go to my mum, dad and my family for their continued support and I would like to thank Cheshire County, the coaches and officials and Mike Jones, the junior organiser, for giving me this opportunity.

"I am excited for the season ahead.”