YOUNG Teesside golfer James Swash will be looking to stun players from across the country when the 43rd North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship unfolds over the next few days.
The event has seen European Tour and even major winners grace the stage over the years and it is back again this week at Middlesbrough Golf Club at Brass Castle to see some of the game’s stars of the future compete.
Swash will be the leading home player from Middlesbrough looking to shine and it is hoped he can emulate the achievements of Jonathan Lupton, the only player from the club to win the event there in 2000.
But Swash knows there is also a long list of other hotly-tipped contenders looking to claim the trophy, including last year’s winner Haider Hussain. The Kendleshire Golf Club player blew away the field 12 months ago with a four round total of 267 which was a staggering nine shots clear of his nearest rival.
The first round took place yesterday and the play will resume for the second round today with tee times ranging from 7.30am-3.30pm. The 136-man field will be cut down to 40 and ties for the final two rounds played tomorrow. The third round tee times will start from 8am and the final round will begin at 3pm.
Bryan Sloper, the chairman of Middlesbrough Golf Club, said: “Obviously I will be interested to see how James Swash, a home-grown star for the future, performs.
“Michael Hay from Hunley Hall has also taken membership at our club and will be a force to be reckoned with. They will, however, have to contend with last year’s outstanding winner, Haider Hussain, who will be defending his title.”
The nationally recognised event is open to players under the age of 23 and awards World Amateur Rankings points, which is why it has regularly attracted a number of Britain’s finest players.
During the last 42 years the stunning course of Brass Castle Lane has seen Masters champions Danny Willett, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam compete. Lyle actually won the tournament in 1977 when he was playing out of Hawkestone Park.
The tournament, in association with Northern Golfer Magazine, also saw Colin Montgomerie play in it as well as the renowned North-East names such as Graeme Storm and Kenneth Ferrie.
Previous winners of the competition include Roger Chapman, David Horsey and Richard Finch as well as Richard Boxall in 1982 and he has gone on to become a member of Sky Sports Golf’s commentary team.
Making the track a tough but enjoyable occasion is always the challenge facing the greenkeepers at Middlesbrough Golf Club.
And course manager John Talbot said: “Our preparations are mostly the same throughout the summer with getting the greens up to speed and then keeping them there.
“With the club championship the weekend before the event, the course will be at its absolute best because our final preparations started in mid-July.
“We’ll be starting early and finishing late most of the week, working before and after each day’s play. On Monday we cut the tees, fairways, approaches and greens in the morning and then headed back out at 4pm to do it all again ahead of the tournament.
“For Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we’ll double cut and iron the greens each morning and each evening to keep them up to speed.”
ROLL OF HONOUR
1975 A Jackson – Burnham Beeches
1976 N M Chesses – Shirley
1977 A W B Lyle – Hawkstone Park
1978 J Cuddihy – Ratho Park
1979 R Chapman – Langley Park
1980 J G Bennett – Walton Heath
1981 J Heib – Sutton Bridge
1982 R Boxall – Camberley Heath
1983 M Stokes – Maylands
1984 W A Farrow – Stoke Poges
1985 F George – Beaconsfield
1986 J G C Robinson – Woodhall Spa
1987 J Cook – Leamington County
1988 C Cassells – Murcar
1989 S J Bannerman – Cruden Bay
1990 R Walker – Brancepeth
1991 S M Green – Ashford
1992 R Walker – Wearside
1993 S Taylor – Hillside
1994 J N Hepworth – llkley
1995 G Jenkins – Kenilworth
1996 O Cousins – St Neot’s
1997 M S King – Toft Hotel
1998 R Finch – Hull
1999 S J Young – Seascale
2000 J W Lupton – Middlesbrough
2001 P Wheatcroft – Worksop
2002 P Richardson – Eden
2003 J Mason – Fulford
2004 G Jackson – Garforth
2005 S Uzzell – Hornsea
2006 D Horsey – Styal
2007 D Whitnell – Five Lakes
2008 D Whitnell – Five Lakes
2009 B Loughrey – Wrag Barn
2010 I Winstanley – Formby
2011 J Bower – Meltham
2012 J Bower – Meltham
2013 A Wilson – Darlington
2014 W Whiteoak – Shipley
2015 J Hilleard – Farrington Park
2016 H Hussain – Kendleshire
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