In a remarkable story of dedication and resolve, Paul Bryant has become the professional at Waterstock Golf Club - six years after joining them as a 15-handicap shop assistant.

"I did not then envisage turning professional, because I didn't think I had the ability," said the 25-year-old from Wheatley. "But it shows what can be done with determination and practice."

Paul Bryant

By practising after work for four or five days a week, and with guidance from the club's first pro, Andy Wyatt, Bryant got his handicap down to three within two years.

That allowed him to become a trainee assistant pro, during which he studied for, and passed, a whole series of exams.

"Three-a-half years is the shortest period of time it takes to become a pro, and that's the time it took me," he explained.

So by November last year, Bryant was a fully qualified professional, and when the club's second pro Julian Goodman left in February to join Bicester Golf and Country Club, he stepped up to the top job.

"I had no hesitation in appointing Paul," said the club's owner Andrew Wyatt (not to be confused with the club's first pro).

"Paul is a superb coach and is very popular with the members, and is already doing a superb job."

By becoming a club pro, Bryant will now be able to play in pro-ams in Berks, Bucks and Oxon, but knows his first duty is to Waterstock.

"Coaching is a big part of the job, and I want to build up a teaching academy here, so that anyone who wants to take up the game, can come and learn," he said.

There was no history of golf in Paul's family, who run Bryants Garage in Wheatley.

Football with Garsington Boys was his main sporting priority early in his teens, although he did later join the junior section at Oxford City GC.

On leaving Wheatley Park School, he went to college with a view to becoming a civil engineer.

But then the golfing bug got to him - and the rest is history.