EMMA WEEKS wins her first England cap today in the prestigious Sherry Cup match at Sotogrande on Spain's Costa del Sol.

The former Hampshire champion faces a big season in which she looks to establish herself in the international amateur ranks after her sensational performance in last year's English Strokeplay Championship at Stoneham.

The 23-year-old from Totton came from nowhere to lead the tournament by five shots going into the fourth and final round.

Nerves got the better of her and she eventually lost out in a three-way play-off which also involved her experienced Hampshire teammate Chris Quinn, but Emma has gained from what was a painful experience.

She says it has made her more determined than ever to make her mark in the amateur ranks. Significantly a few days after her Stoneham disappointment last summer, Emma won the South East Championship in fine style at Hayling Island.

She'll feel very much at home on the Costa del Sol this week, having just spent a month at La Manga training with the England squad then staying on under her own steam.

Emma, who belongs to the Hockley Club and works at Botley Park, has entered all of this season's domestic majors.

According to her dad and mentor Trevor: "She is fully focused on her golf again. There was a time during her late teens when lost some impetus.

"She could have left golf altogether then but knuckled down, worked harder and is now playing as well as ever."