Frankie Dezis was just five-years-old when she picked up her first golf club – eleven years later as a scratch golfer she has a golfing career in her grasp.

Now the 16-year-old who came third in the R&A Under-16s Girls Open championship last year is being tempted by offers of scholarships in America.

But Frankie, a member at Farrington Park GC, Somerset, is showing maturity beyond her tender years about her future plans.

She said: "At the moment I'm just concentrating on my A-levels in PE, psychology and maths before deciding on what to do afterwards.

"Golf is very important to me because it's been something I've been doing since I was five years old and every weekend I'm either playing or practising."

Frankie equalled the women's course record at Farrington Park last season, is a stalwart of the club's women's team and represented Somerset Women when they reached the finals for the first time in 66 years last season.

Her golfing journey began on the range, when as a group of young boys and girls they were part of "Terry's Tigers" – the junior section championed by PGA coach Terry Williams.

Frankie added: "The great thing about Terry's Tigers was that first and foremost we all had fun. All golf was a game it wasn't something we took too seriously.

"The games we played around golf were great fun, but we never felt as though we were being taught golf, we were all just enjoying the game.

"Gradually we were introduced to more focused golf games around putting and chipping. This really was key in getting me hooked on golf.

"We weren't too bothered about hitting drivers and bombing it down the range. We all became quite good at chipping and putting first before even being let out on the course.

"This was Terry's philosophy with the young players and I think that has really helped me to develop.

"My short game is probably the strongest part of my game and that is something that came from those very early years."

Frankie, a student at Norton Hill School, Midsomer Norton, Somerset, in the space of four years went from a handicap of 32 when she was 11 to scratch by the age of 16. Not surprisingly she has been Junior Champion at Farrington and for the last three years has been women's club champion.

She said: "I had never thought about that progression before but I suppose it is impressive, but I think that's down to the coaching that I've received."

That coaching seems to be bearing fruit. Last season was her first real adventure into junior tournament golf with four outings – and she recorded improvements at each event.

She came 110th in the English U-18 Championship at Farnham GC in June, and a month later she finished 68th in the English Girls' Strokeplay Championship at Malton & Norton GC.

At the English Girls U-16 Open Amateur Championship at Morecambe GC, Frankie had a top-30 finish when she came 22nd in July.

But her best finish came at the R&A Girls U-16 Open Championship at Enville GC in October. Openign rounds of 72 and 73 saw her lead going into the final round. But her challenge faded on the back nine with four dropped shots in the last five holes which saw her finish tied third.

Frankie said: "That event demonstrated to me that I could compete at that level and I took it as a massive learning curve and will be back stronger this season for the experience."

Her showing last season has seen two agencies vying to sign her up for a golf scholarship in America, but Frankie says she hasn't committed to going to the States.

She said: "It would be a great experience but at the moment I'm focusing on my A-levels and see what happens afterwards.

Somerset ladies coach Terry Williams, head professional at nearby Wells Golf Club, said Frankie has the talent and determination to go far in the game.

He said: "From the age of five when she came to the junior section, Frankie has been very committed to the game.

"It's great to see someone come through the junior section and make a name for herself in the game."