RICHMOND pair Bradley Rowntree and Steve Willis are in Morocco this week as they bid to win the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.

Club professional Rowntree and captain Willis won the Regional Qualifier for the North of England at Rudding Park in August, needing countback to win despite a score of 47 points.

The victory sealed a spot in the Grand Final in Morocco with the pair set to go head-to-head with nine other finalist pairings to have won through from Regional Qualifiers in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The finalists will now battle over two rounds over 36 holes at the Mazagan Beach Resort in El Jadida, near Casablanca, for the right to be crowned winners today, using a better-ball stableford format, as the professionals chase a first prize of £5000.

The final will be played on the Gary Player Championship Course at Mazagan, a daunting test measuring 7,484 yards.

Rowntree has also scooped a prestigious award after being named Breakthrough Professional of the Year at the Foremost Golf Awards.

MIDDLESBROUGH Golf Club has opened its golf driving range with the help of Simon Clarke MP.

The range was financed out of club funds, supported by a £65,000 Sport England grant that was awarded in May 2016 under its Lottery Funded Inspired Facilities scheme and was built by local company Protective Systems Limited.

The range has five practice bays and a coaching bay. The latter is equipped with latest technology coaching aids and used under the direction of Gordon Cattrell, the club’s professional.

It provides members with an all weather practice facility and offers schools, colleges, disabled and seniors groups, an opportunity to get into golf through lessons and coaching. Groups interested in lessons and coaching should contact Cattrell on 01642 311766 or gcattrell@tgigolf.com.