HARTLEPOOL student Matthew Davison claimed a credible second spot from a 70-strong field at the AOC Sport Open Golf Championships.

Davison, representing Hartlepool College of Further Education, was in great form over the fabulous Fairmont St Andrews resort to fire his way in to contention for the individual honour. He was nicely placed after an opening 74, two shots behind first round leader Dan Mould, on the Kittocks and he never looked back on day two.

Most golfers struggled to match their first round scores the following day on the Torrance Course so Balby Carr Academy’s Mould’s 77 in terrible conditions proved enough to win it, despite Davison closing the gap to one by shooting a 76.

Davison’s Hartlepool FE team-mates Luke Metcalfe, Alex Robinson and James Richardson finished 54th, 60th and 65th respectively. The only other two golfers from the region were Middlesbrough College duo Harry Rowbotham and Jack Cairnes, who finished 50th and 56th.

Hartlepool, linked heavily with Seaton Carew Golf Club, also ended up 13th out of 15 in the team positions, while Davison was third in the nett scores rankings.

BEAMISH PARK Hotel Golf Academy is to hold a number of classes over the next few months with the aim of improving the standard of golfers in the region.

From April through to September there are sessions to be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with coach Mark Rayson as a partner of England Golf and as a Get in to Golf starter centre.

Rayson said: “Beamish is an academy, which unlike many golf clubs, is centred around the idea of encouraging people to learn the game of golf and quickly help them to progress on to a golf course that is fun, where even a child can play in under an hour. It offers maximum pleasure from minimum time. A world where anyone can learn, improve and play.”

Beginners & improvers classes are available as well as short troubleshooting classes for only £10 for those who need more specific help through the season and have participated in one of the classes.

Anyone interested in learning, with their family or colleagues, should start by contacting Mark Rayson on 07927 754952 or email Mark at mark@markraysongolf.com

ENGLAND Golf has welcomed a new charter which aims to grow the number of active disabled people.

The Charter for Change, from the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), outlines the key changes needed to ensure many more disabled people can reap the benefits of being active for life.

Jamie Blair, the England Golf disability manager, said: “We believe that this framework emphasises the approach we are already taking with golf clubs. We are engaging with disabled people, finding out what they want and including them within golfing activity at clubs and facilities.”

England Golf is currently working with 17 counties, identifying three clubs in each which offer a high quality experience of golf for disabled people wanting to take part.