GolfJAMIE Moul, the 22-year-old Suffolk and Stoke by Nayland golfer, must now be considered the most highly-rated amateur golfer in England. It won't be long before the official world rankings for amateur golfers will be known.

Golf

JAMIE Moul, the 22-year-old Suffolk and Stoke by Nayland golfer, must now be considered the most highly-rated amateur golfer in England. It won't be long before the official world rankings for amateur golfers will be known. They will make interesting reading.

With Ollie Fisher, Ross McGowan, Adam Gee and Robert Dinwiddie all having joined the professional ranks, Moul can look forward to a 2007 season which, all being well, will culminate in a Walker Cup appearance against the United States at Royal County Down Golf Club on September 8 and 9.

Moul is currently at home but will be off to the United States at the end of this month with an England team to compete in the Jones Cup at Sea Island Golf Club on the coast of Georgia.

Ranked in the top 75 golf resorts in the United States, Sea Island has two 18-hole courses originally designed by Harry Colt and Charlie Alison in 1929 but revamped in 1998.

The complex has always been owned by the Jones family (hence the name of the cup). The current boss is Bill Jones III, a fourth generation to be involved.

While in the States Moul will be measured up for a new set of Titleist clubs. He also hopes to meet Scotty Cameron, Titleist's putter specialist, in person.

The highlight in February will be a week of special warm-weather training at Arcos Gardens on the Costa de la Luz near Jerez.

Some of the England squad will be staying in Spain for their amateur championship. Moul will not be taking part because he is scheduled to fly to Australia in March.

“We have a six-man international match against the Australians,” said Moul.

This will be followed by the Australian Amateur Championship, which provides an excellent warm-up for the home campaign.

In April the Walker Cup squad will gather at Royal County Down for their first get-together.

The first important tournament in England will be the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes on May 4 to 6. Reigning champion Moul will be striving to retain his title.

It seems unlikely that Moul will be entering the Open Championship this year. While Tiger Woods and company will be trying to master Carnoustie, Moul hopes to be involved in the European men's team championship at Western Gailes in Ayrshire which has clashing dates.

It looks almost certain to be Moul's final year in amateur golf. After the Walker Cup he will be hoping to emulate the success of Ollie Fisher in the European Tour School. It's a big ask to step straight into the European Tour, but to earn a place in the Challenge Tour would be an encouraging start.