TALENTED young golfer Michael Davenport, from Thanet, is making outstanding progress in America.

The climax to a highly successful year at the PGA National Centre in Florida has come with an invitation to compete on an elite amateur circuit in the United States this summer.

Davenport, who is now 19 and lives at Fitzroy Avenue, Kingsgate, near Margate, has already claimed two victories and several top 10 finishers in tournaments during his learning curve at the centre. He may well be the only Brit soon to take part at this high level which is a remarkable achievement for a teenager who first picked up a club only four years ago.

Davenport’s father, Les, said: “His coach Mike Adams is in regular contact with me and predicts a bright future for him. He rates him as one of the best prospects he has had.”

The amateur tour includes many of Florida’s best and toughest courses. It will be a gruelling schedule with, at times, two events in a week, but it is a challenge the modest young man will relish.

When the tour ends in September he will be joining Florida Atlantic University on a scholarship awarded on the back of his golfing achievements both here and in the States.