EUROPEAN golf professional Graeme Storm has been giving aspiring young players top tips on how to get into the swing of the game.

The Hartlepool-born pro, joined by his wife Sara, was at the Consett and District Golf Club to officially launch its new Blue Academy course.

Mark Bonser, who with Janet Turnbull is a junior organiser at the club, said: “It was brilliant. Graeme spent over an hour-and-a-half coaching every one of the juniors who turned up.

“They were proud as punch, having someone of his stature come along and show them how to hit a golf ball properly.”

Mr Bonser added, the Blue Academy course was designed to attract more younger people to the game.

He said: “Our junior members range from 13 to 20-years-old. A golf course can be can be long and daunting for people, so the idea was to have a shorter course to attract younger members. Eighteen local businesses have generously sponsored each hole.”