NEWPORT'S Phillip Price believes that Welsh golf is as healthy as it's ever been and feels that it's only a matter of time before the next Annika Sorenstam or Ian Woosnam is found.

There are no fewer than five male golfers in the top 50 of the European Tour Volvo Order of Merit.

And, with women such as Eleanor Pilgrim, Becky Morgan and Becky Brewerton all flying the flag for Wales in the women's tour, then the future is certainly looking bright.

But more importantly, the youngsters that have been nurtured as a result of the Golf Development Wales programme are starting to come through.

Golf Development Wales is a partnership between the Welsh Golfing Union, the Welsh Ladies Golf Union, the Sports Council for Wales and the Golf foundation.

The partnership initially aims to increase the number of juniors playing the game in Wales (especially girls) and to improve the competitive standards of golf.

And Ryder Cup hero Price knows all about the importance of nurturing talent.

He was brought through the ranks in the amateur system in Wales and feels that the game in the Principality is starting to benefit from years of development.

"People shouldn't underestimate just how far the game has come in the last few years," said Price.

"The game is now as healthy as it has ever been - and I don't just mean at the highest level.

"Right from the bottom, we are starting to see the benefits. We have more professionals on the European Tour than ever before and it's just a matter of time before there's another Welshman playing in the Ryder Cup with me."

He added: "With the help of schemes such as Golf Development Wales, then we are on the way to finding the Annika Sorenstams, Becky Brewertons, Eleanor Pilgrims as well as the Ian Woosnam's of tomorrow."

Price was yesterday announced as the new patron for the Golf Development Wales scheme which also announced its plans to further improve the state of golf in the country.

These new measures and targets include:

* Increasing the number of girls affiliated to golf clubs by 270 per cent in four years.

* Doubling the number of teachers and parents trained to deliver 'Tri-Golf' sessions.

* Qualifying more than 400 club officials under the Golf Foundation's junior leader awards by the end of 2005.

* Increasing the number of Golf Foundation Starter centres from 21 to 61 by 2005.