JAMES Kelly is looking forward to returning to competitive amateur golf after rediscovering his love for the game.

The 27-year-old from Queensbury has relinquished his professional status and is soon to get the green light to re-enter the non-paid ranks.

Having impressed as a youngster - playing for Yorkshire juniors and the Bradford Union senior team - Kelly wants to make his mark again as a top-level amateur.

The former Northcliffe member, who was part of the junior team that won the Home Nations title in Spain in 2001, turned professional at an early age. He worked for over seven years at West Bradford, where he first gained his PGA qualification, and also at Shay Grange.

While initially enjoying playing in national and regional competitions, Kelly admitted he became disillusioned as a professional.

"I was very hard on myself," he said. "I loved the sport as a young lad but I wasn't playing well and I wasn't enjoying it."

Having spent time away from the game, getting married and deciding to work for his family's business, Kelly has a renewed appetite for golf.

He said: "I've been practising a lot and playing socially. Now I want to play for the Bradford Union again and get back playing scratch-team golf. I'm hoping to become a member somewhere as soon as possible."