A ROUND of adventure golf is all part of a family day out to the seaside at Hemsby.But the mini course - towered over by dinosaurs and temples - will be teeming with experts when it hosts a British mini-golf pro-am tournament in June.

A ROUND of adventure golf is all part of a family day out to the seaside at Hemsby.

But the mini course - towered over by dinosaurs and temples - will be teeming with experts when it hosts a British mini-golf pro-am tournament in June.

On the day, champions will tee off alongside ordinary folk at Lost World Adventure Golf in Beach Road, Hemsby.

Owner James Gray, 44, said he was thrilled to be hosting the warm-up event on the eve of the British Championships being held at Wroxham Barns on June 5 and 6.

The married father of two who lives in Hemsby is hoping for a good turnout as a publicity boost for his lost-world themed attraction whose nine-hole course is family-friendly but also challenging enough for the pro's.

He said: “The British Mini-Golf Assocation plays all sorts of courses and when you get into it, it is quite complicated. They take it very seriously. As a member of the association I noticed how many tournaments they were doing up and down the country and I wanted one here.

“If it goes well we will have a stand alone tournament with cash prizes.”

Up to 50 players are expected at Wroxham, at least half of whom, it is hoped will play in Hemsby's charity tournament.

Mr Gray, said the tournament also tied in with Hemsby's marketing makeover being driven by brand-guru Simon Middleton. Like many other traditional seaside hubs time-worn Hemsby was in urgent need of a boost.

Now after a period with its head in its hands the seaside village is standing tall poised for a Viking Festival that will put it back on the holiday map and win it a new invading army of fans from across the country.

In the six years since Mr Gray installed the attraction he has had good and bad years. “It has been a struggle but we are still here. If you have a real interest in what you are doing the rewards will speak for themselves. We have had some slow years although last year was quite good. Hemsby is such a nice place.

“Everything you need is here.”

BMGA spokesman Richard Gottfried said the Great Yarmouth area was a Mecca for crazy golfers. Anyone he said could play in the Hemsby tournament and locals - who might well have the upper hand - could even clinch first place from a pro. He added that anyone who was bitten by the bug would be welcome to play in the championships at Wroxham over the following two days.

To find out more about the tournament visit the BMGA website. Lost World Adventure Golf is open from 10-5pm, later in high season, �2 child, �2.50 adult, offers for locals and loyalty scheme available.