A Leek golf enthusiast is teeing up to help the JCB Golf & Country Club shine in the international sporting spotlight.

Leann Nixon, who works as Golf Operations Assistant at the prestigious club adjacent to JCB's World HQ at Rocester, Staffordshire, is on course to play her part in making the first JCB Championship a success when it takes place from Friday, July 29th to Sunday, July 31st.

The JCB Championship will see international golfers competing for a total prize fund of £600,000 with all profits from the event being donated to JCB's NSPCC Platinum Jubilee Appeal. It will also be a rare chance for local spectators to enjoy a day out at the course which has been hailed a masterpiece in contemporary design.

The event - part of the renowned Legends Tour - means Leann will be rubbing shoulders with famous stars from the world of golf, including the Ryder Cup's Darren Clarke as well as Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and John Daly.

With the countdown now on to the high-profile event, Leann (21) who plays off a 9.7 handicap at Leek Golf Club, is urging local golf fans to flock to the JCB fairways and watch the stars in action as tickets sell quickly.

She said: "Golf has been my passion from a very young age and I've always known I wanted to work in the industry. I joined the JCB Golf and Country Club when it opened four years ago after studying Golf Management and Performance; it is just the perfect job for me.

"The JCB Championship will be a very busy weekend and I'm really excited to be running the driving range where the professionals will practise before they take to the course. It will be brilliant to see some of my golfing heroes in action close up.

"It's also a fantastic opportunity for local people to come and see the course. It is an amazing place; we have thirty greenkeepers maintaining it and making it a real showpiece that's definitely worthy of an international competition."

JCB Golf & Country Club General Manager Mark Addison added: "The JCB Championship promises to be a fantastic opportunity to watch golfing icons who between them have won seven Open Championships and made more than 35 Ryder Cup appearances.

"We expect up to 15,000 golf fans will visit the course over the three days. It is a rare chance for the public to enjoy the very special setting of the JCB Golf & Country Club and its 240 acres of rolling countryside. It really is an event not to be missed."

The event promises to be a great day out for spectators, featuring a JCB Fanzone with high quality food and drinks outlets, shops and a golf simulator for visitors to test their golfing skills - and the chance to win a special prize. Complimentary parking will be available within a 10-minute walk of the golf course.

Adult day tickets are priced at £20 and youth tickets (13-17-year-olds) at £5. Under 12s are free. Three-day adult passes are also available at £55 and three-day youth passes at £15. Under 12s again go free.

For more information and for tickets visit www.jcbchampionship.co.uk.