CIRENCESTER teenager Josh Gray enjoyed an inspirational day at the Ian Poulter Golf Tournament at Woburn recently.

Gray, 13, and a member at South Cerney Golf Club, was one of just 100 juniors from around the country invited to play in the special event.

Josh, who has been selected for the Wiltshire Golf County Academy Programme, was suitably impressed, not least by the Poulter Ferrari.

"We had a practice round on the famous Marquess course on the Sunday and then I arrived early on the Monday for a packed tournament day," said Josh.

"It started when Ian turned up in one of his Ferraris along with his son.

"We then received an IJP goody bag, a pair of cool Oakley glasses and had our pictures taken with Ian.

"In the competition itself, I was very pleased with my scoring despite the long and challenging course.

"Ian was great, he took time out with every junior on his way around the course, watching them take a shot and giving them advice and tips."

Poulter then hosted an IJP Clinic in which he showed off some of his skills, gave the juniors some more valuable advice and had a laugh with the players and their families. That was followed by the prize giving and a lovely BBQ for everyone who attended.

Tom Motley, the golf pro who coaches Josh at South Cerney GC, said: "I've been working with Josh for about a year and he is a pleasure to coach and a talented golfer.

"His dedication to improving his game is fantastic to see and I genuinely believe Josh has the foundations to become a very good golfer."

In addition to taking part in the Wiltshire Golf County Academy Programme, all-round sportsman Josh is also involved in the Gloucester Rugby Academy U14 Developing Player Programme and the Gloucestershire County U13 Cricket Squad.

Josh said: "I am passionate about all sport and I try to work very hard to improve and reach my potential in everything I do but at the same time have fun.

"I don't know if I will have a sporting career but I know that if I am good enough then there will come a time I need to choose one sport but that is a while off yet."

Josh plays his cricket for Poulton CC and rugby at Cirencester RFC.