The 24-year-old from Sandbach, now Sandiway Golf Club's most famous member, has teamed up with golfing greats Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke after registering with one of the country's top sports management companies.

She has become the first female golfer to register with the Knutsford based company, International Sports Management and she now plans to make her mark on the international golfing scene, having turned professional last October.

Indeed, according to Golf Monthly magazine, she, along with Spain's young hot-shot Sergio Garcia, is a golfer to watch this year.

Another top golf magazine has also named her in their top 10 of players they predict will do well during 1999.

There are only two women named on the list - the other is Sweden's Sophie Gustafson.

So it is no surprise that ISM have acted quickly to sign Elaine.

But the reigning English amateur champion isn't letting the plaudits go to her head.

"It will be a steep learning curve for me, there is so much to take in, but I am looking forward to it," she said.

"To be honest, if I could make a mark this year it would be a bonus.

"I am just hoping to earn enough money to finance myself."

She has no sponsors at the moment, although that is all likely to change now ISM have signed her up, and she is well aware of how tough it is to break through.

"I have had a few trying months since last October. It has been a strain but my parents have given me lots of support and now things are starting to happen fast."

Matthew Parker, a spokesman for ISM, said: "Most management companies wait until a player has been professional 18 months before signing them to gauge if they are commercially viable.

"But we take on all our players when they turn pro and help them make the transition. Andrew Chandler is an ex pro and formed the company 10 years ago.

"So there is plenty of experience here, Elaine couldn't be in better hands.

"All she will need to do is wake up in the morning and play golf, we will arrange the rest."

Indeed, the company has done so well in golfing circles that it has diversified, signing England cricket test stars Graeme Thorpe and Andy Flintoff to their books.

Now, Elaine plans to spend 1999 jetting between the United States and Europe.

She finished second in the European Tour School and so is assured of a place on the tour.

But she has only got a conditional card for the US LPGA Tour, which means she isn't guaranteed a start in events. With that in mind, she hopes to make a name for herself on the less demanding Futures tour.

"The European Tour only gets started in June, which gives me time to concentrate on America," added Elaine.

Her next event will be in Arizona, having spent the winter working on her game with Heswall based coach Alan Thompson. She jets off on March 2.

"I'm going to try and plan my year so I am spending five or six week blocks in the States before coming back to compete in Europe.

"Ultimately I think my main ambition is to make an impact in America, but I also want to earn a place in the Solheim Cup team," she added.

Former Stirling University friend Katrina Matthews has already made the step from the amateur game to becoming a successful pro on the British team.

It has inspired Elaine, who seems destined for great things.

The only drawback would seem to be that Elaine now has little time to play at her home club, Sandiway.

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