GOOD sports at a Rednal school swapped their pens and pencils for the putting green.

Rednal Hill Junior School, in Irwin Avenue, unveiled its brand new, permanent Tri-Golf course at a special ceremony last Thursday.

Sandy Jones, the chief executive of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), opened the new facility and also enjoyed a few rounds on the course.

The sport, which uses lightweight clubs and sponge balls, was tried out at the school last year to encourage children to take it up. The school received support from a number of golf's governing bodies and Birmingham City Council.

The feedback was so positive from both girls and boys that the school decided to invest in a permanent Tri-Golf course.

Last Thursday students, staff and guests tested out the course and even participated in a bit of friendly competition. The course has three, four and five par holes.

"It went very well, even the weather behaved itself for most of the day," said school spokesman, Paul Batchelor.

"It was good to watch as some of the children, both girls and boys, have taken to golf like ducks to water."

The event coincided with the first days' play of the Damovo British Masters Golf Tournament being held in the Forest of Arden. It was filmed by The Golf Foundation to produce a DVD to promote the sport to other schools.