THE youngest swingers in Towthorpe let fly at York Golf Range.

Seven youngsters traded tinsel for a festive fling-swing at the latest 'taster' session at the Strensall-based complex which is situated just off the Towthorpe road.

And it looks as if there will be yet more converts to the game after an enthusiastic response, said York Golf Range professional Andrew Smith.

For two hours over two days the youngsters, who had never played the game before, tried their hand at a variety of skills from driving and chipping to putting.

York Golf Range stages the try-golf' sessions over the festive period, Easter and summer holidays as part of an introduction to the sport and also to the Young Masters programme the Range has operated at the course since it first opened four years ago.

In that time more than 350 youngsters have enrolled on the Young Masters venture which has this year been boosted to eight levels - cadet, bronze, silver, gold and masters, the latter at levels one, two three and four.

Such was the success of the latest batch that last year York Golf Range boasted two of its Young Masters - Jack Birkin and Lucy Palmer - in the national YM finals.

Declared Smith: "The recent try-it sessions give youngsters who have never played golf before a taste of the sport. If they then want to take up the sport they are welcome to enrol in the Young Masters scheme."

Smith, a former European Tour professional who has been at the forefront of a burgeoning success at York Golf Range, said that youngsters were traditionally introduced to the game by having a parent play.

Yet under the YM scheme he cited the example of how a particular parent brought his then 11-year-old son to the Range with neither parent, nor child, having any knowledge of golf.

"That lad is now aged 15 and playing off a handicap of just three at Easingwold Golf Club," added a delighted Smith. "The Young Masters scheme has been everything we could have hoped for and we aim to continue it here at York Golf Range."