Golf crazy schoolboy Alister Haynes went straight to the top when leading Oxfordshire clubs refused him membership.

The seven-year-old wrote to golfing legend Nick Faldo to enlist his help.

And much to the youngster's surprise, the three-times Open champion has written to clubs in the county encouraging them to support promising players like him.

In his letter to Faldo, Alister, of Kelham Hall Drive, Wheatley, whose best 18-hole score is 98, wrote: "I want to be a competition golfer and to beat Tiger Woods.

"The problem is nobody thinks I mean it (apart from my mum). I have a lot of difficulty getting a game. Some grown-ups don't want to play with me because I am too little. Golf crazy: Alister Haynes

Some older boys and girls don't want to play with me because it's not cool to be seen playing with a young junior and there are no boys or girls my age who are playing on the course."

The letter ended: "I wonder if one day you could watch me play or give me a game."

Faldo wrote to Oxfordshire clubs: "I have received a moving letter from seven-year-old Alister Haynes that raises a subject close to my heart, junior golf.

"I am only too well aware of the problems he is facing. I would really appreciate your help in assisting Alister and all those juniors out there.

Just because they seem so young, it doesn't mean they should not be given the opportunity and encouragement to fulfill a dream. Who knows, Alister may be the next Nick Faldo!"

Alister's mother, Mandy, had warned him not to expect a reply from the three times US Masters champion.

She said: "I never thought in a million years that it would cause such interest."

She said Alister had his first set of golf clubs when he was three. Neighbours spotted him playing in the garden and took him to a driving range because they thought he had an eye for the ball.

Mrs Haynes said: "He plays whenever he can. Last half-term he played every day for nine days."

Alister said: "I like playing golf because you get lots of money. I practise as often as I can. My putting is best. The furthest I can hit a ball is 200 yards. I am improving all the time. I would like to play golf for a living."

One club willing to encourage him is Studley Wood at Horton-cum-Studley.

Owner Richard Percival said: "Seven is fairly young but I had a chat with Alister and decided to take him on even though he was three years younger than our junior members. To break 100 at that age is extraordinary - he's a good little swinger."