A four-year-old boy from Kelshall is on course for golfing success – after winning his first trophy last weekend.

Royston Crow: Marcus Karim, four, with the ball which he hit a hole in 1 with at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREENMarcus Karim, four, with the ball which he hit a hole in 1 with at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©Callum Allcock-Green)

Marcus Karim has been playing at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn under PGA professional coach Chris Hattersley since he turned three, having followed in the footsteps of his older brother Lewis, nine.

The boys’ dad Zak told the Crow: “Lewis got into golf first when he was five,so when Marcus came along we had been playing a couple of years. By the age of two Marcus had a set of little plastic golf clubs, and would be swinging in the house.

Royston Crow: L-R Dad Zak Karim with sons Lewis, nine, Marcus, four, and Kingsley Golf centre PGA professional Chris Hattersley. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREENL-R Dad Zak Karim with sons Lewis, nine, Marcus, four, and Kingsley Golf centre PGA professional Chris Hattersley. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©Callum Allcock-Green)

“When he was old enough we got him his first set of clubs, we took him down to the driving range and just let him hit golf balls. He got off to a great start, to the point where all the people in the driving range would look at him and say what a great shot that was.

“Both of them really did well, but as Marcus is so young he stood out more.

Royston Crow: Marcus Karim, four, practices putting at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREENMarcus Karim, four, practices putting at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©Callum Allcock-Green)

“He’s the youngest person there, and all the older boys run over to see what score he gets.”

“My wife Karen is a bit of a golf widow, but whenever we do a competition one week I’ll caddy for one of the boys and she’ll caddy for the other.

Royston Crow: Marcus Karim, four, with his coach Kingsley Golf centre PGA professional Chris Hattersley. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREENMarcus Karim, four, with his coach Kingsley Golf centre PGA professional Chris Hattersley. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©Callum Allcock-Green)

“It’s really nice, you’re spending time together and we get to go to some nice venues and competitions like the British Junior Golf Tour where they do weekly tournaments for age five up to 17 – so we have to get special acceptance for Marcus because of his age.

“The organiser of the competition even came and watched Marcus on the driving range and straight away he had his phone out filming – he said Marcus was hitting longer and straighter than some seven year olds. He has even had his first hole-in-one.”

Royston Crow: Lewis, nine, and brother Marcus Karim, four, at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREENLewis, nine, and brother Marcus Karim, four, at Kingsley Golf centre. Picture: CALLUM ALLCOCK-GREEN (Image: ©Callum Allcock-Green)

Last Sunday at Cambridge Meridian Golf Club, Marcus came third in the competition for five and six-year-olds – and was just seven points off the winner.

Zak added: “It was a great day with great weather – Marcus was so pleased to get his first trophy.

“Because the other competitors are taller and bigger than him they can usually hit the ball further, but not that day.

“His brother Lewis is really pleased for Marcus, he says good luck but also says he said he would love to get a hole in one himself one day.

“Marcus would one day like to go on and be a professional player like his idol Rickie Fowler. But for now it’s chasing more hole in ones and having fun with his brother and friends in the junior academy.”