FIVE-year-old golfing maestro Adelaide Francis will be treading in the footsteps of her hero Tiger Woods next month when she gets her chance to putt her way to success at the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The Welsh Mini Masters Final to be held at the Celtic Manor, is an exciting new event, developed courtesy of Ryder Cup legacy funding and founded to discover the next generation of golfing talent.

Nantyglo youngster Adelaide, who has only been 'swinging the iron' and 'teeing off' for just under two years, qualified for the event after coming best girl in the Under Seven category in a nine hole competition held at Rhondda Golf Club in August.

Adelaide's proud mother told the Chronicle, "We're so impressed in the way Addie's initial interest in golf has grown over the last two years. She is pretty obsessive about practicing and she is definitely in love with the sport.

"Her hero is Tiger Woods, and she trains at least twice a week at Alice Springs Golf Club under the brilliant guidance of her coach James Morgan.

"I cannot praise James enough for the work he has put in with Addie. He is really encouraging and supportive, and Addie's golfing skills have continued to flourish under his tuition."

The Llanfair Kilgeddin Primary School pupil has already been earmarked by Golf Development Wales for extra coaching since her qualification to play in the Welsh Mini Masters, and her coach, Director of Golf at Alice Springs, James Morgan told the Chronicle, "Addie in my opinion is particularly talented. As soon as she picked up the club you could see she had a lot of natural ability. She took to golf like a duck to water and I think if she continues to apply herself the way she has been she will go a long way in the game."

A Ryder Cup Legacy Officer from Golf Development Wales explained, "The Welsh Mini Masters is all about getting young people playing golf. We may uncover Wales' next professional golfer, but more importantly we will certainly be introducing many new people to the game through the Welsh Mini Masters."

"The Ryder Cup coming to Wales is such a magnificent event, but the investment into the development courses throughout Wales and events such as the Welsh Mini Masters will deliver a lasting legacy."