WYNYARD’S James Harper and Whickham’s James Simpson will be flying the flag for the region when they head to final Open Championship qualifying next week.

The County Durham duo will heading to one of five 36-hole qualifying events at Gailes Links, Hillside, Notts, Royal Clinque Ports and Woburn hoping to seal a place at this year’s Open.

Fifteen places from 360 golfers will be available to compete in the final field at Royal Birkdale, with Harper and Simpson shining brightest from the North-East in regional qualifying.

Harper and Simpson led the way at Northumberland with three-under par 69s on Monday, when more than 1,200 golfers across the country took part in qualifying events at 13 venues.

Carlisle’s Craig Goodfellow, who won the Seaton Carew Pro-Am 12 months ago, and Furness’ Rob Spence pinched the remaining two spots from Northumberland after carding 70s.

There will be no Open appearance for Kenneth Ferrie. The Ashington-born pro opened up with a 68 to be tied fourth after 18 holes of the 2004 Open and finished 1tth in the US Open in 2007, but he will not be at Royal Birkdale. Ferrie, 38, posted a four-over 76 on the same qualifying course to finish well down the field.

IN a few years’ time the region’s upcoming golfing talents will be looking to make a name for themselves on the Open stage – and many of them were in action at the Durham County Boys’ Championship.

Tyneside’s James Wilson claimed the title in style by finishing seven shots clear of Hartlepool’s Jack Ainscough. Wilson went round Garesfield in 71 and then 69, so his two sub-par rounds set him aside from the rest.

Spare a thought for Ainscough, though. The Shotton-born teenager, who is heading for the United States, also finished second in the men’s Durham County Championship too, just behind Chris Handy.

Heworth’s Will Marshall was third, four shots shy of Ainscough, while Castle Eden’s Cameron Wallace was six further shots adrift in fourth.

On the same day there was Durham Under-16s success for one-handicapper Will Skipp after his 78 gross was two better than Darlington’s Harrison Hodgson and Ramside’s Adam Charlton.

Skipp, who was also the Durham Schools’ Under-16s champion earlier this year for the third time in a row, then went down to the Kendleshire Golf Club to compete in the National Schools’ Boys finals and he finished in the top 15.

The Eaglescliffe youngster carded 78-71 to finish eight shots adrift of eventual winner Matthew Green from Essex. Skipp, representing Durham and Hartlepool’s Dyke House College, will now play for England Schools’ against Scotland in September.