LONG hours spent practising with Middlesbrough Brass Castle clubmate Jonathan Lupton is clearly having an effect on Michael Skelton.

After clinching the Welsh Amateur strokeplay title on Sunday at Prestatyn - just two years after Lupton's triumph in Llandudno in the same tournament - the Marske teenager has once again followed in his practising partner's footsteps by announcing he is to step up his plans to join the European Tour.

Lupton, 24, announced earlier this year after capturing the prestigious Brabazon Trophy that he is to have a second crack at qualifying for the Tour in September.

But not be outdone by his fellow England Elite Squad member, Skelton - buoyed by his impressive debut performance at the British Masters at the Forest of Arden earlier this month - has also decided to make qualification to the European Tour his top priority.

Skelton, 19, had originally planned on turning professional after the Walker Cup in 2005.

But after missing the cut by just two strokes at the Forest of Arden - two strokes ahead of Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam - in his first appearance in a professional tournament, the young Teessider has developed a taste for Tour life and has decided to try to qualify next year instead.

"Playing at the Forest of Arden has definitely made up my mind to turn pro sooner," said Skelton, whose ten under par total of 278 (71-72-67-68) at Prestatyn gave him a three-shot victory over Richard Moir of Australia and Cyan Mills from the Vale of Glamorgan and meant he finished 12 shots ahead of former champion Lupton.

"I was going to wait a bit longer but I think I will be ready by the end of next year.

"I have been getting better and better every year and playing against the cream of European golf and doing well was just the boost to my confidence I needed."

Not that the Brass Castle amateur appears to need any more confidence.

"I honestly felt I was better than the two guys I was playing with - and they're professionals," said Skelton, who after carding an impressive a two-round total 142 (76-70) without the benefit of a practice round finished ahead of playing partners Italian Marcello Santi (72-77) and Terry Price of Australia (76).

"Playing in my first pro event made me realise that I had a bit more game than I thought I had.

"That was my first pro event and with no preparation I missed the cut by two."

Skelton also admitted that he was surprised by how relaxed and easy-going the players were on the Tour.

"I really thought it would be a lot more intense than it was," he said.

"But the players were so relaxed beforehand. It was so strange watching players like Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke just having a laugh together just like any other tournament.

"It settled me down and I really enjoyed the experience. It's where I belong."

l Eaglescliffe professional Graeme Bell will have his work out this Wednesday trying to successfully defend his De Vere Hotels City of Leeds Cup title.

Bell did not drop a single shot in three rounds on his way to victory last year at Oulton Park.

But he faces a formidable task as nine former winners have also been included for the 54-hole event, including reigning North-East Masters champion Mike Bradley.