SOUTHAMPTON Golf Club members think they are seeing double when identical twins Adam and Andrew Gilbert step out on to the Municipal Course.

But you can certainly spot the difference when they start playing. Adam is left handed; Andrew right-handed.

Right or left, the 13-year-old Chandler's Ford twins and their 15-year-old brother Richard are among the most promising players in Southampton's junior section.

Just six months after being given his first handicap of 25, Adam is down to 18, two better than Andrew. Their enthusiasm for the game is astonishing. They haven't missed a day's golf at The Muni during the school holidays.

Dad Steve, who is a member at Southampton, really started something when he took the trio along for a gentle game of pitch and putt at Woodmill.

The kids took to the game straight away, all joining the junior section of the Southampton Club at the same time. And they have been quick to make a mark in the club's junior stableford competitions with Adam and Richard both chalking up victories and Andrew taking a couple of second places.

Later this month all three will be playing in the club's junior championship when Adam says: "We'll be looking to see who can finish second to John Baynes, who plays off four and is the best junior in the club."

The brothers Gilbert have been set on their way by Southampton teaching pro John Waring who oversees an enthusiastic junior section. "John taught us the basics of the game," says Adam, "and now we play and practice.

"My ambition is to get down to single figures in a year and hopefully play in the Hampshire Junior Open Tour. Andrew has the same targets."

Adam has the foundations already in place. He drives the ball over 200 yards despite being just about five feet tall, and averages around 31-32 putts per round. Richard, when he gets hold of the ball, can crack it 300 yards down the fairway. Adam has a best score round the Muni of 78. Andrew has gone round in 81.

Adam says a mixture of his dad's enthusiasm, Waring's coaching and Justin Rose's performance in The Open last year, inspired him to play golf.

"Watching Justin do well must have encouraged a lot of young players, like me" he says, "especially as he's from Hampshire."

Highlight for Adam and Richard so far was helping Southampton win the junior golf competition in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Games. Andrew had to give the event a miss because he'd hurt his back.

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