The 20-year-old, who lives in Bognor takes part in Open qualifying at Royal Ashdown Forest near East Grinstead on Wednesday (July 2) dreaming of making it through to the field for Royal Birkdale.

It's a long shot – only a handful of hundreds of golfers who will take part in regional qualifying at courses around the country will make it through to The Open.

If Mitchell does well enough there, he will play two rounds at Sunningdale – and only the best scorers then will be off to Birkdale.

Mitchell said: "I'm not getting my hopes up too much but the important thing is I'm in regional qualifying. The experience can only benefit me.
"It will be a thrill to be involved."

Mitchell started hitting golf balls when he was three and was a member at Petersfield Golf Club until he was 14.

He won the Hampshire under-14 championships and played for the county at under-14 and under-16 level.

More tournament wins led to recognition in the England set-up.

Mitchell turned pro last August aged 20 – just two years older than the minimum age – and is now in his sixth year at the Blackmoor club in East Hampshire, where he is assistant pro.

Recent successes include coming second in the Barton-on-Sea pro am.
Mitchell, a former Bognor Comm-unity College student, is being supported by Bognor businessman Alastair Smyth, a partner in Just Wood Flooring.

Smyth said: "I've known Steve through family friends for some time and he appraoched me for help with his season's fees and clothing. I was happy to get involved – it helps him and helps raise the profile of Just Wood Flooring."