TEENAGE golf sensation Kevin Barnes has his eye on success as the amateur season gets into full swing.

Between now and Sept-ember, the 18-year-old will be competing in tournaments up and down the country on a weekly basis as he strives to better his game.

The St John's-based talent, who plays off scratch, has spent the winter months in the gym preparing himself for a tough schedule.

This weekend Barnes, coached by John Cook, heads to the Machynys Peninsula in Llanelli for the Welsh Open Strokeplay Championships, one of the circuit's top amateur events.

From there the youngster heads to Fulford Heath Golf Club in Birmingham for the Worcestershire Amateur Cha-mpionships.

They take place over 36 holes on Friday, June 1.

Then, just 24 hours later, follows the two-day Welsh Youth Open Strokeplay event at Cardiff's Whitchurch GC.

His father, Andy Barnes, believes Kevin is heading in the right direction and is hoping the hard work pays off.

He said: "He's worked very hard at his game and his coach is pleased with him. It's just a case of being patient and letting things happen.

"He needs to be confident in his game in terms of winning events. Everybody wants to win and the harder you try to sometimes it works against you.

"It's been a good year in terms of how he feels in his swing and he's just looking forward to getting out and playing."

Barnes, who plays at Worcester Golf and Country Club at Boughton Park, has also been honing his skills in the Yorkshire Order of Merit.

He finished joint sixth at the Hawksworth Trophy in Bradford on April 28 and is due to compete in the Pannal Rose Bowl in Harrogate on June 13.

Father Andy added: "His target is to have a win but to shoot consistently low scores because if you turn professional you need to make the cuts."

Barnes has gone from strength to strength in recent years. He qualified for the final of the prestigious Faldo Series last year and in 2004 was selected by Butch Harmon to take part in a week-long coaching course in Houston, Texas.

Harmon was responsible for the development of world number one Tiger Woods.

n Bromsgrove golfers Derek Mace and Chris Steel matched the best score of the day at Bewdley Pines Golf Club to finish runners-up in the Worcestershire Union of Golf Clubs County Membership Scheme.

Battling heavy rain, the pair finished in the Greensomes format with 46 points.