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Eight-year-old Jack Dirkin is on the ball

A Telford-based junior golfer, ranked as one of the best golfers in the world for his age, is preparing for the next round of international competitions with the help of The Wrekin Housing Trust.

Pictured: Jack Dirkin with The Wrekin Housing Trust’s Dawley shop team (L-R) Caroline Higgs, Brenda Johnson and Elisha Sugrue-Heath

Eight-year-old Jack Dirkin, of Lightmoor, will be swinging his way to championship games in Scotland and Portugal in the coming months after qualifying to play in the British, UK, European and World Junior Golf Finals throughout 2018.

The Wrekin Housing Trust has sponsored Jack since 2015, providing £500 per year to help towards competition fees, coaching, equipment and travel. His progress has been reported by Sky Sports News, BBC Midlands Today and, in 2016, led to an appearance on Good Morning Britain with Suzanne Reid and Kate Garraway.

Triumphs in 2017 included winning the Oceanico under 9 World Boys Championship, finishing runner up in the US Kids Golf under 8 British Boys Championship and placing third in the Wee Wonders under 8 UK Boys Championship.

Head of Marketing at The Wrekin Housing Trust, Beverley Ashton, said: “Jack is so full of enthusiasm for the sport and is showing remarkable promise in competitions.

“We have loved watching his progress over the last three years and are very pleased to be able to support him on his journey. We wish him the very best of luck this year.”

Jack’s dad, Chris Dirkin, who is involved in junior cricket and golf development, said: “We’re thrilled with the way Jack is performing and couldn’t be more proud of his achievements. He’s just a natural and has been playing in competitions since he was four years old. But despite his successes, we are very keen as a family to ensure he does all the things any 8-year-old boy would do and make golf part of a balanced lifestyle for him.”

Jack’s next competition is the under 8 Boys European Championships in East Lothian at the end of May. You can follow his progress at www.jackdirkingolf.com.

24th April 2018