The Ainley Top-based prospect is already a fully qualified professional and is currently employed at the Manor GC in Drighlington.

But early next year, thanks to backing from Nigel Hudson of Hudson Office Furniture, he will head off on the EuroPro circuit, which is a third tier competition below the main European Tour and the second level Challenge Tour.

The tour mainly features young, emerging professionals who have enough promise to have a chance of eventually making the main tour, and consists of a series of tournaments at high quality venues around the UK and also in Ireland and Portugal.

"Robert plays regularly at Manor with Nigel and one or two others and they were so impressed with the way he played, they decided to sponsor him and give him a chance to try to fulfil his potential," said his father Frank.

Booth played as a youngster at Bradley Hall for many years and though he had to give up his playing membership when he turned professional, he stil retains his social membership and often plays at the course, keeping in touch with his many friends there including long serving professional Peter Wood.

And there will be a keen following from his old club watching his progress on the EuroPro Tour, which features on Sky Sports TV with regular updates from when the tour's 2009 season kicks off in April to the final event in October which is covered live.