If placing runner up in his first competitive tournament is any indication of things to come then perhaps it's safe to assume Novice golfer Kyle Symons' future in the sport appears bright.

The ten-year old Bermuda Institute student turned heads at the recently concluded Ross 'Blackie' Talbot Summer Golf Tour, surpassing even his own expectations by finishing second behind eventual winner Kyun Smith in the Novices Division.

Not surprisingly, the Southampton resident is a big fan of Tiger Woods and admits to having been bitten by the golf bug the moment he first held a club in his hand.

"My parents (Dane and Tonia Symons) signed me up, I tried it and enjoyed it," Symons said.

"I like the challenges it (golf) gives me and the experience it has given me to be able to play on four of Bermuda's finest golf courses."

The youngster credits golf teacher Leo Custodio along with world number one Woods as the two major influences on his budding career.

"Mr.Custodio has taught me the game while Tiger started off as a young boy like me and now he is the best golfer in the world," Symons added.

Reflecting on his recent performances on the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot Summer Golf Tour, Symons noted improvement in his overall game.

"My putting and driving skills got better each time I played," he said.

"This was my first time playing on a golf course so I am pleased with my performance."

Finshing third in the Novices Division was Zion Dowling while top honours in the 15-18 Division went to Thomas Svensen followed by Dwayne Pearman Jr. and Jesse Marshall who finished second and third respectively.

Phillip Hagen topped the 12 and Under age bracket, with second and third place honours going to Craig Morrison and Walker Campbell.

Bermuda Junior Golf Association (BJGA) president Quinton Sherlock has dubbed this year's inaugural junior golf tour as a smashing success and is particularly impressed by the progress made by the Island's top future prospects currently competing at the grassroots level.

"I think we had a very successful tour whereas we saw high participation from junior golfers who seemed excited by the additional tournament," the Southampton Rangers fast bowler said.

"On behalf of Bermuda Junior Golf Association I would like to thank Mr.Jones (Eardley Jones) for running the event as well as the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot foundation."

Sherlock believes the new summer tour will benefit the development of the Island's junior golfers for years to come.

"It will keep the kids active in terms of fine tuning their skills during the summer months which will enable them to improve their game," he added.

"The summer tour enables our junior golfers to showcase their potential and skills, and it was very pleasing to see the progress some of them have made over the past 11 weeks."