GOLFER Jake Bolton says he has a big 2018 planned after finishing third at the Italian Amateur Championships.

The teenager, who plays out of the Ogborne Downs Golf Club, also revealed a change in coach as he sets his sight’s on next year’s Walker Cup.

The 19-year-old, who is from Park North in Swindon, linked up with Dan Frost two weeks ago and says a need for ‘fresh ideas’ engineered the switch.

While he is yet to meet Frost face-to-face, Bolton says he tried to implement his latest instructions while out on the course in Italy, where he carded rounds of 71, 74, 69 and 70.

“It was a very solid performance. I’ve had a change of coach and he’s implemented a new way of approaching shots on the golf course,” he said.

“It’s all new to me but I tried to take on board what he was saying to me over the phone.

“I just went out and approached shots in a simple way and that paid off in the last two rounds, where I moved up from 46th to third.

“I needed new ideas, because I have big goals for the next 18 months, I want to play the Walker Cup next year.”

In 2017 Bolton set out on the Elite Amateur Circuit for the first time and admits it was a learning curve for him.

“It was definitely a year of learning because that was my first year on a men’s circuit,” he added.

“I played fairly well towards the end of the season. It just took me a while to get used to the surroundings.

“When you play at junior level you know everyone, but it is tough with the men’s because no-one really talks, you don’t know anyone and it is a bit more serious.”