WHEN Aaron Moon was "fooling around" on the Bolton Old Links as a teenage member he never dreamed a decade later he would be lining up to play there in the PGA North Region Championships.

The two-day tournament, which begins tomorrow, is Moon's first serious competition as a professional.

The 30-year-old works as assistant to Ian Orrell at Bolton Golf Club, but readily admits playing the game professionally never entered his thoughts as a youngster.

Yet since being seriously wounded in Afghanistan eight years ago while serving with the Royal Marines, Moon's life has taken an unexpected turn.

He lost part of his right leg when his armoured vehicle was struck by an explosive device and golf played an important part in his rehabilitation.

The young dad was taken on by the On Course Foundation, a charity that supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick service personnel through golf.

"I have to be honest, I never really took golf seriously when I was younger, it was just something to fool around doing with my mates," he said.

"I first joined Bolton Old Links when I was 12 and left when I was 16 or 17. My handicap never went any lower than the mid-teens.

"Rugby was my game really, I went on to play for the Marines, but my injury meant I couldn't carry on with that.

"So, with the help of the charity, my focus switched to golf. The sport has given me a purpose, a way of putting money on the table and help me provide for my young lad (Archie, aged two).

"He is the main reason I am doing this now, but it helps I have really fallen in love with the game.

"I just can't wait to get out there (on Wednesday) and play."

Aaron worked hard to get his handicap down to scratch, which allowed him to get his PGA card last year.

Since then he has played in two competitions, but the PGA North is by far his biggest tournament to date.

"The reality is, if I make the cut I will be happy, but that is only because this is my first big tournament," he said.

"I am confident one day I will be competing with the best. That's the way I am.

"When I applied to become a Marine 52 people started the training and only 12 finished it. I approach golf with the same mindset – I will be a winner one day, and this is where it starts.

"This is my first chance to test myself against the best in the region. I have seen the field and there are some great players in there, so it should give me a good idea of how far I have to go."

Moon is one of nine Bolton-based players taking part in the 36-hole event.

Bolton Old Links pro Sean Owen, assistant Daniel Bradbury and Michael Jones will all be hoping to make use of home advantage.

While Hart Common pro Steve Parry, who won the 2010 PGA North order-of-merit, will be considered as one of the favourites.

The other local competitors in the 107-strong field are Neil Brazell and Samuel Greenhalgh, from Regent Park, Kieren Gaskell, of Westhoughton, and Turton Golf Club's Ian Stirling.

There are also seven former winners returning for another crack.

Defending champion Robert Booth, of Crosland Heath, will be going all out to repeat his victory of last year at Carus Green. He remains on top form and has already clocked up six wins this season, including the Yorkshire Open at Howley Hall.

Booth also finished third in PGA North's first flagship event of the year, the Leeds Cup, in May, while the winner of that event, Renishaw Park’s Michael Ramsden, is also in the field.

Other former champions competing at the Old Links include Snainton Golf Centre’s Alex Belt, Chilli Dip Academy’s Craig Corrigan, Royal Liverpool’s Michael Jones, Penwortham’s Ryan O’Neill, North Wales based Matthew Tottey and Birchwood player Phil Archer, who last won the North Region title back in 2002 before embarking on a European Tour career.