A FORMER Barnard Castle pro and Middlesbrough supporter is looking forward to renewing old friendships on the European Senior Tour again this year.

John Harrison sealed his full Tour card at Q-School last month when he ensured that he will be able to tee off at the Wales Senior Open on May 29 on merit rather than an invitation.

It will be the fourth year running Harrison has represented Northumberland’s Matfen Hall Hotel on the Senior Tour, competing against some of the biggest names in the sport.

And he expects to play between 12 and 14 tournaments across Europe - and further afield - before it draws to a close in Mauritius in November.

The Tour will bring the 54-year-old – whose wife, Jo, is his caddy - in to competition with golfing legends such as Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie and provides the chance to rekindle old friendships.

“We all pretty much started out at the same time,” said Harrison. “And we were on the European Tour together back in the 1980s, but, while I made a career change into club golf, they kept playing competitively.

“Thankfully, my role at Matfen Hall has enabled me to continue to tour and it is always great to catch up with former team-mates.”

Harrison’s career spans 37 years and in the same year he joined Matfen Hall in 1994 he also competed as part of the European team in the PGA Cup.

He has been excited by Matfen Hall’s recent improvements courtesy of £150,000 worth of investment. As well as a 27-hole, 6,700 yard course, there is a nine hole, par three course, a driving range, short game practice area and two practice putting greens to help Harrison teach.

Along with advising on all aspects of the club’s management and development, he coaches the sport’s rising stars, club members and beginners at Matfen Hall’s John Harrison Learning Centre.

He said: “With my club work and my touring, I really do have the best of both worlds and I will, as always, be very proud to represent Matfen Hall in the European Senior Tour.”

For further information about golf facilities at Matfen Hall, call 01661 886400, email info@matfenhall.com or visit www.matfenhall.com