A TEENAGE golf champion has been teed up to become a dyslexia charity’s first ambassador.

Chris Handy, who last year finished three strokes clear of the field in the English Boys’ County Champion of Champions event, has agreed to become an ambassador for Dyslexia North East.

The 19-year-old overcame dyslexia to complete his A-levels and is about to begin a scholarship on the US college circuit with Oakland University in Michigan.

The up-and-coming golfer plays at South Moor, near Stanley, a former miners’ only golf club which was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, creator of the Augusta National course, home of the US Masters.

Mr Handy, who has an average drive of 275 yards, first won the South Moor men’s club championship as a 14-year-old.

He said: “Charities like Dyslexia North East take a lot of the stress out of life for people like me,” he said.

"Representing them as well as my club when I play tournaments is the least I can do.”

Charity trustee Robbie Redpath said: “Chris Handy is the sort of guy who will definitely raise awareness of our charity.

“He is a fantastic golfer and this season he is playing World Amateur Golf Ranking tournaments in the UK.

“He’s a lovely lad and a credit to himself and his parents. There is every chance he will go far in the game."

He added: “Many parents rely on getting funding advice from charities like ours. They also badly need our assistance in coping with difficulties day by day”.

To find out more about the charity, visit dyslexianortheastengland.org.uk