A new Kent golf tour gets under way at Littlestone tomorrow (Friday).

The brainchild of Gemma Woodcock, it involves eight tournaments across the county, aimed at amateurs.

A mixed field of 40, with handicaps ranging from plus-one to 28, are teeing off in the opening event, including a group of four who are travelling from Scotland, before moving on to play in the Rye Open.

Gemma, who together with partner Howard Bonnacorsi, runs the HB Golf Academy and Unique Golf Tours based at Westwell, said: “The response has been good.

“A Tour Championship finale will be played at London Golf Club in October, with players paying £25 for the chance to be part of the Order of Merit.

“The champion wins a custom made set of Titleist clubs, while the prize for the Order of Merit winner will be a top of the range trolley.”

Gemma a keen golfer, despite not having played for 18 months due to business commitments, was brought up in Sandwich and is delighted with local club Royal St George’s decision to admit lady members, announced last week.

She said: “It’s brilliant, fantastic news and long overdue, because we have to take the game into the 21st century.”