OVER the next four days Graeme Storm will bring the curtain down on a year he hopes will provide a platform to build from on the European Tour.

The Rockliffe Hall attached Tour pro has enjoyed a much improved end to 2015 after finishing in the top 50 in each of his last seven events; including a runner-up finish and a cheque of just under £200,000 at the Porsche European Open in September.

His fine form, culminating in his rise into the top 60 in the Race to Dubai rankings, secured his place in the lucrative DP World Tour Championship starting today alongside Rory McIlroy and Co.

Storm, who earned around £450,000 this year, said: “It's only the second time I have played in the Race to Dubai top 60, as I played my first in 2009. I did make Valderrama when it was held there.

"Whatever happens, it's a huge bonus after the first eight months of the season when I didn't know what the future was going to hold.

”If you'd said at that point I'd be here preparing to play in Dubai in the end of year finale I'd have said 'don't be crazy'. I'm here so I will give it my best shot as always."

TYNESIDE’S talented James Wilson has been crowned the first winner of the Northern Golfer’s Junior champion of champions at Ramside Hall.

Wilson, who has appeared for Durham County Union and England Boys this year, led the rest of the field with a 72 around Ramside’s Cathedral Course.

He had to finish strongly to clinch the title after a double bogey at the par three 12th.

The 16-year-old said: “It was a great day at Ramside and I really enjoyed playing the new course. I knew a lot of the guys taking part from county and national events so it was great to see them and catch up.

“My round turned around after that mistake at 12. I played solid golf in the last six holes – hitting fairways and greens, and holing a couple of nice mid-length putts to get some momentum going.

“The 18th was certainly the highlight. I was one over par on the tee and had a feeling that a birdie would give me a chance. I hit a great four-iron to 10ft and holed the putt to give myself a chance at level par.”

Wilson finished a shot clear of Boldon’s Rhys Thompson, while Heworth’s Aaron Scott was third after hitting 75.

The teenager, a member at Close House as well as Tyneside, is progressing nicely and has high hopes for next year having forced his way in to the England reckoning by earning a cap for the Boys against Wales.