THE 2009 HSBC Wee Wonders Championships continues to grow in popularity with thousands of youngsters having signed up.

The grassroots golf programme, the biggest in the UK and Ireland for 5-12 year olds, provides participants with the opportunity to challenge themselves in a fun, competitive environment.

Since HSBC began sponsoring the programme in 2003, participation has grown each year and it is expected that over 5,000 young golfers will register this year for 145 local qualifying events across the UK and Ireland.

The programme is played on par three golf courses throughout the UK and Ireland and youngsters don't have to be a member of a golf club, or even have a handicap to take part.

It adopts the "flag format" of competition. Competitors have 36 strokes to play the golf course, and they place a flag where their 36th shot finishes.

The winners from each age category are those that have got round the course the furthest, nearest to the hole. They then proceed to the corresponding Regional Final, with the winners from there reaching the Grand Final at St. Andrew's in Scotland.