OLLY Huggins is just 36 holes away from achieving a lifetime’s ambition at the tender age of 18.

The amateur, from Frilford Heath, tees it up along with about 150 other hopefuls at Nottingham’s Hollinwell course today in a bid to play in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale later this month.

There is one major snag – there are only three places on offer from the final qualifying round to secure a place on the famous Lancashire links from July 22-25.

“ I’m driving well and my chipping’s pretty perfect,” said Huggins, who last year showed his potential by landing the Frilford club championship at the age of 17.

The highlight of this summer came last week on his home course, when he secured one of the eight spots to progress from the Open regional qualifying round.

Huggins, who was introduced to the game by his father Nick at the age of five, clinched his place by chipping in for a birdie at the last hole for a one-under-par round of 71.

“It was my second chip-in on the back nine – I also had one on the 14th – so you can see why I have confidence in my short game.

“Playing in the Open would be a dream come true,” adds the youngster who plans to follow his more famous Frilford member Eddie Pepperell on to the European Tour.

“I intend to stay amateur for another two or three years, so that I can improve may game and then intend to turn pro,” said Huggins, who now plays off a handicap of plus two.

But the former pupil at Matthew Arnold School, Cumnor, is now aiming – with caddie Jake Dines by his side – to achieve his lifetime’s ambition.

Henley’s Narendra Yonjan is also in the field at Hollinwell.

Meanwhile, Pepperell, who is playing in the final qualifier at Royal Cinque Ports today, has moved up eight places to 67th in the PGA European Tour’s Race To Dubai money list following the French Open, where he won 65,000 euros after finishing joint 23rd.

WITNEY Lakes are running a charity event on Tuesday, August 8 for Yellow Submarine who work in Witney and Oxford with youngsters who have learning difficulties and run the cafe at Witney Leisure Centre.

The Seniors Charity Open is a pairs better ball event taking place at Witney Lakes on Tuesday August 8.

The club’s seniors section have already raised £300 this year for the charity.

Those interested should contact Cliff Smith on 01993 843329 or email c.smith492@btinternet.com.

CORE GOLF UK OXFORDSHIRE

FOURSOMES LEAGUE

Section 2

Carswell 3 (4pts), Kirtlington 0 (0) (Carswell first): D Hoskin & N Eden bt B Stevens & J Stevens 6 & 5, M Harris & J Peevers bt N Aselford & T Stevens 5 & 4, L Griffiths & D Williams bt P Slade & R Caro 1 hole.

OXFORD LADIES

Stableford & Veterans Cup: 1 J Ryan (24) 36pts, 2 D Torgersen (18) 35, 3rd C Fox (13) 34.

Saturday Stableford: 1 J Tavinor (11) 38pts, 2 D Chappelle (10) 31, 3 H Watts (17) 29.

OXFORD CITY

Medal No 5 – Div 1: 1 R Mangan 78-10=68, 2 C Wright 74-5=69. Div 2: 1 M Parsons 89-24=65, 2= J Hudgell 88-17=71 & D Thorne 87-16=71.

Midweek Medal: 1 G Attar 91-26=65, 2 J Hudgell 84-18=66.

Senior 70+ Stableford: 1 B Boffin 40pts, 2 P Marshall 38.

B team match: North Oxford 5½, Oxford City ½.

NORTH OXFORD

Men’s Midweek Stableford: 1 J Hudson 37pts, 2 H Hall 35 (cb), 3 A Quinn 35.

Men’s match: North Oxford 4½, Oxford City ½.

Ladies’ EGU Medal No 12 –Silver Div: 1 S Stewart 88-18=70. Bronze Div: 1 J Jones 99-34=65.

Victory Cup: 1 J Jones 99-34=70, 2 J Wyatt 92-24=68.