TALENTED students from around the world have helped Brancepeth Castle be regarded in the same breath as some of the most famous courses in the country – and have brought success along too.

Brancepeth’s undulating fairways, designed by Harry Colt, are being graced by a rising power in British University golf and the ambitious group are looking to build on an impressive 12 months by achieving greater things in 2017.

Durham University Golf Club, who represent Team Durham in an official capacity and call Brancepeth their home when they compete in British Universities and Colleges’ Sport, made history when they won the first Northern Premiership Championship.

It was the sort of success which highlighted the blossoming relationship of the golfers and Brancepeth’s members and the aim is to build on the triumph by delivering longer term glory.

Team captain James Glenn said: “This season we see an even more diverse and international footprint, and though commitments are yet to be solidified there is potential for Brancepeth’s scratch team to sport an American, a Norwegian, and a Bolivian with one former BUCS champion, Kieron O’Connor.

“However briefly these young players grace Brancepeth with their games, rest assured that the connection with the University will continue to bolster and buoy the club’s performance at County and Inter-County levels.”

The growing bond only looks like growing.

Brancepeth are rightly proud of the relationship, meaning they are a BUCS host along with venerable venues such as Hollinwell/Notts (home to Nottingham), Fairmont St Andrews (home to Stirling), Western Gailes (home to Strathclyde) and Royal Dornoch (home to University of Highlands and Islands). Glenn said: “It’s great company for sure.

“University students cherish and treasure the opportunity to play at Brancepeth Castle during their time at university.

“In the winter, were it not for the plethora of students taking to the fairways, Brancepeth would struggle to remain as vibrant as it does. Let’s hope that this Northern Premiership title is only a signal of things to come.”

Glenn is an American, from Texas, studying for a PhD and won the Seaton Salver to rocket up the Durham Union Order of Merit on an individual level. His form has made him a Durham County and Teesside Union player. He helped ensure the Durham University boys managed a perfect 5-0 record at home in the 2016-2017 campaign.

Much of the team’s success can be traced back to Glenn’s impact at Brancepeth when he first arrived to study in County Durham a few years ago.

He used the opportunities that his student membership provided to integrate into the club and earn a place in Brancepeth’s scratch team, helping them to promotion from the Third Division and to Mixed County Foursomes glory in 2015 with Marianne Moore.

Glenn added: “As Durham University’s international recruiting footprint grew, we were blessed with young Ecuadorean Juan Miguel Heredia.

“Juan managed a fierce home campaign for DUGC at Brancepeth, winning every home game he played, and then roared to life with the Brancepeth squad.

“Heredia played a critical role with me as the team sought to stave off relegation in a weak year and enjoyed an absolutely blistering performance in the Clark Cup before he returned to Ecuador.

“Juan used Brancepeth Castle as a base and springboard to the 2015-2016 BUCS Individual Championship title, against the best university golfers in the UK and Ireland.”