LIKE millions of golf fans, Darren Grey will be glued to the screen to watch the Ryder Cup for the next three days.

But Mr Grey will do so having already played his own part in winning the Fightmaster Cup – the one-armed equivalent of this weekend’s tournament.

Mr Grey, 25, from Darlington, won four of his five games in the Fightmaster Cup helping the Rest of the World lift the trophy.

It was the second time Mr Grey had taken part in the tournament. In 2008, he won all five of his games but ended up on the losing team.

This time, he lost his opening greensomes match, but won his four other contests to help the Rest of the World defeat the US 16- 12.

His victories included one in the singles against Vince Biser, despite the A m e r i c a n playing off a handicap of four compared to Mr Grey’s nine.

Mr Grey, who earlier this year won the world championship, said: “I was hoping to win my singles match but in matchplay, especially because you both play off scratch, it is hit and miss. It can easily go either way. If you win one hole it makes you more confident, if you lose one it goes the other way.

“It was an awesome feeling to win.”

Mr Grey was born without the lower part of his left arm.

He has been a member of Darlington Golf Club since he took up golf 12 years ago.

Aged 14, he landed a hole-inone at the club’s ninth hole.

Mr Grey, who is a support worker for disabled people, added: “The tournament felt better than last year. Everyone was right up for it especially after last time’s kicking.

“We appreciated the big win. It meant a lot to our lads.

“It is not just about the golf.

It’s a great social gathering and you get to see all the different variety of swings.”

David Peat, club captain, said: “Everybody in the club is delighted with what Darren has done. We are very proud of him.”

The Fightmaster Cup featured the Society of One-Armed Golfers, representing the Rest of the World, to play against the North American One- Armed Golf Association.

It was held at St Pierre Golf and Country Club, in Chepstow, Wales.

Youngest champion

A TEENAGE golfer has belied his tender years to become a club’s youngest ever champion.

Joe Cowper has been crowned Darlington Golf Club’s champion at the age of 15 – in the same year he won the junior championship.

Joe, from the Whinfield area of Darlington, near the club, became the first member to land both titles in the same year. Last year, 20-yearold Michael Copeland won the senior event but narrowly missed out on the junior championship.

It caps off a remarkable year for Joe, who has played for various representative sides and reduced his handicap from five to two – at one point, it was down to only one.

He beat 50 members during two rounds of strokeplay to win Darlington Golf Club’s title.

He said: “I’m really proud.

It was really pleasing and I wanted to make a good name for the juniors. At the start of the season, my main goal was to get back into the county team and I wanted to get my handicap down to two.

“To get picked for the England select teams was a bonus. Hopefully next year I can get into the main England team.”

Club captain David Peat said: “He is an inspiration to everyone at the club.”