EMILY James has wasted no time in securing her maiden hole in one.

The Ramsbottom player hit an ace at the opening hole at Rossendale Golf Club while competing in a junior competition last week – aged just nine.

Taylor produced the incredible shot with a three-wood at the 119-yard first hole in front of her watching dad Andrew.

And her father admitted he was surprised to see the ball in the hole when the group reached the green.

He said: “I think everyone knew it was a good shot. We all acknowledged it when she hit it.

“From where we were though you couldn’t see where it had gone so we all went up to the green not realising it was a hole in one.

“When we got there we couldn’t find it and they looked in the hole as a joke and there it was!

“She is absolutely thrilled and delighted.”

Emily had the added bonus at the end of the round when she took victory in a competition open to both boys and girls up to the age of 16.

The Green Mount Primary School pupil took up the sport two and a half years ago after watching her brother Alex play and is now playing regularly in junior competitions at the club.

Dad Andrew added: “The Lancashire Girls Golf Association have really helped her as has everyone at Rossendale Golf Club.

“She just really loves playing and her brother does as well and it is great to see them enjoying it.

“It’s fair to say I am not as good a golfer as either my son or my daughter!”

Rossendale Golf Club’s junior organising committee chairman Andrew Nicholls added: “It’s extraordinary that Emily’s achieved a hole in one at such a tender age.

“Some people play all their lives and never achieve it.

“She got it when she was playing in a club competition against 11 other children, mixed boys and girls, the oldest of which was 16. Emily was the youngest and she won.”

Nicholls hopes the success of Emily will help encourage more girls to take up golf.

He added: “There aren’t many girls in the game, there aren’t enough really. We’re on the lookout for more new junior members of all ages, from Rossendale and the surrounding areas.

“Our youngest at the moment is five, so age isn’t a barrier.

“Emily’s very keen and a very pleasant girl. She’s been playing for two years. It really shows great promise.”