The 27-year-old, who has spent 16 years playing at Lincoln Golf Club in Torksey, has been building up a reputation as one of the area’s most promising players.

Now he is looking for businesses to provide him with the financial support he needs to enter tournaments across the country.

”I have had a massive passion for the game all my life but financial issues have stopped me from pursuing the path of turning professional,” he said.

”Anyone looking to sponsor me will be getting a good deal. I feel I am getting on top of my game and have a good chance at winning competitions.”

Nick has been playing golf since the age of 11, when he got hooked watching his dad practice his swing at the Torksey club.

”I don’t think my dad will mind me saying that I didn’t learn too much off him, as his golf is terrible,” he said. “I went to Yarborough School and they recognised that I was quite good so I used to practice my golf on Wednesday afternoons.”

Nick, who went to Newton-on-Trent Primary School, also represented the British universities team, as well as captaining the team for Teesside University.

It was while studying Sports Science at Teesside that he was crowned the North East England University Matchplay Champion.

His first competition as a professional golfer will be the Jamega Golf Tour in the South of England and Wales, which has a top prize of £5,000.

”This tournament is seen as one of the best chances for young professionals to break on to the golfing scene,” he said. “I’m not expecting to win every tournament but I do want to get out there and play.”

With some tough games ahead, Nick is practising for four or five hours a day. He said: ”I know now that I have to focus all the time on my game. Before I’d maybe play once or twice a week but now I’ve got to really go for it.”

Having written a university dissertation on the psychological pressures on amateur and professional players, he is well aware of the need to stay focused.

”Golf is about 90 per cent in the mind,” he said. “All players have got the ability to hit the ball but what sets them apart is the ability to cope with things and block out pressure.”

Laughterton-based Nick has already secured some sponsorship from Richard Smalley Motors (RSM,) in Newark, and Russell Payne and Co Accountants, in Lincoln, ahead of his first tournament, but is eager to secure more.

If you can offer sponsorship opportunities to Nick, contact him on 0785 917 6528 or email nicklistergolf@live.co.uk