DURHAM County Union’s high achieving team warmed up for a crack at the English Boys’ County Finals later this month with a get-together at Wynyard Golf Club.

Team captain Sam Donald, Cameron Wallace, Aaron McManus, James Wilson, James Rogers, Jack Ainscough and Chris Handy all joined county coach Andrew Nicholson for a spot of fine tuning.

The seven golfers are gearing up to play at Sandiway Golf Club on August 26-28 after turning on the style in the North of England area qualifier earlier this month.

Durham had to overcome Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Northumberland and the Isle of Man to qualify and achieved their target by edging out Cheshire by one shot at the City of Newcastle.

South Moor’s Handy posted 74,78, Castle Eden’s Ainscough carded 74, 74, while Eaglescliffe’s Donald went 71, 73, Darlington’s McManus shot 76,78, Tyneside’s Wilson posted 74, 76 and Rockliffe’s Rogers shot 81,73 to guide Durham through. Five out of the six scores counted from the morning and afternoon to combine a total of 743.

Durham face Derbyshire, Wiltshire and Essex in the national final at Sandiway, where there will be a round robin competition with each team playing each other. There are foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon. Durham, managed by Ken Joel, will be sponsored by Mill Volvo on their trip to Sandiway as well as Maxim facilities management services.

ONE of the longest running Pro-Ams in the North-East still has a place or two up for grabs as it approaches its 30th year.

The Barnard Castle Pro-Am supports the North East North West Professional golfers and is on Saturday, September 6. It’s not too late to enter a three-man team at a cost of £225.

An added incentive for the amateurs this year is the sponsorship from SG Petch, who will award a Peugeot 208 for any golfer getting a hole-in-one on the 18th. There are also holidays, golf trips and a set of irons for a hole in one on the other par threes on the course.

Entry details are available from the secretary at Barnard Castle on (01833) 638355.

SEATON CAREW’S Michael Higham clinched the County Second Division Championship at Hartlepool last weekend.

Higham, a nine-handicapper, posted a nett 67 to clinch the title ahead of Ineos’ Sam Telford, who plays of eight, and and nine-handicapper from Eaglescliffe Will Skipp. Telford and Skipp both carded nett 69s. Higham also posted the best gross score with a 76.