One-handed golfer Rob Paul has earned a place in the Europe team which will take on the USA in the inaugural One-Armed Golfers' 'Ryder Cup' in Louisville, Kentucky from September 12-14 - just a few days before the actual Ryder Cup at the nearby Valhalla course.

The 26-year-old Walmer & Kingsdown member, who plays off a six handicap and has scored two holes in one during his career, has already finished as runner-up in the One-Armed Golfers' World Championship in Northern Ireland.

"The fact that we are going to be playing so close to where the real Ryder Cup is taking place will make it even more exciting," he said. "And I understand the Americans are planning to give our championship lots of media and television coverage.

"The organisers are hoping that, like the Ryder Cup, it will become a biennial event and that it will be held next in Britain in 2010."

Paul, whose father Mick will caddie for him in Louisville, works as a course marshal at Stonelees Golf Complex at Richborough, where his game has benefited in the past couple of years from coaching from local professional Mark Belsham.

"When I started working at Stonelees a couple of years ago I was off 11, but thanks to Mark and some hard work I have got down to six and I am really enjoying my golf now," he added.