EUROPEAN Tour winner Graeme Storm has a message for young golf champion Will Skipp ahead of the North of England Under-14 Open starting at South Moor today.

Skipp has won the Durham County title for the same age group two years in a row.

He is on a golf scholarship at Dyke House School in Hartlepool where Storm is a consultant.

Storm said: “Good luck Will. Play well kid and just believe in yourself like we all do at Dyke House.”

The former British Amateur Champion and Walker Cup winner added: “Will has good naturally talented ability and a bright future ahead.

“His best quality is his accurate driving and when he starts to put more length on his drives, he will be one to watch on the driving stats.”

Skipp is coached by European Senior Tour player Graeme Bell at the Eaglescliffe club.

Favourite for the three-day tournament is Sheffield’s Barclay Brown, defending champion and an England Boys cap.

Last month Brown, competing at Under-16 level, finished fourth in the England Boys Open, one shot behind three players who went into a play-off.

Beamish Park’s Alex Stevenson, returning to her former club, is a strong contender for the girls’ title.

The event has attracted entries from Hong Kong, South Africa and Spain.

Three players with considerably less far to travel are the host club’s Josh Hogarth, Dan Welsh and Abbi Wheatley.