THE Macdonald Junior Golf Tour will be back this year with the aim of offering youngsters across County Durham the chance to get a flavour for Tour golf.

The tour is open to young golfers aged between 7-12 (13 for girls) either with or without a handicap and offers an opportunity to compete in four events around the North-East area during the summer. Players do not have to be a club member to apply, but they must play in a minimum of four events to qualify for the final.

This will be the eighth year of the Junior Golf Tour, which has gained the sponsorship of Macdonald Hotels this time, and will see the regional final held on Sunday, September 4, at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf Club, Northumberland.

That final will see Durham’s order of merit winners compete against rivals from Northumberland and Cumbria.

The Durham venues are Blackwell Grange (May 10), Heworth (May 22), Billingham (June 19), Woodham (July 17) and Durham City (August 20).

Entries from players from other counties will only be accepted if there is space after the closing date.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, March 31, although late entries may be accepted. For information contact Mike Greener on 07966 718519.

THIS year is the 60th anniversary of the Teesside Union of Golf Clubs and as a celebration of this landmark the TSU are looking to raise the profile of its flagship event.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Scratch Championship will now hold 'open event status' having gained support from both Durham and Yorkshire counties by being included on their respective order of merit schedule.

Paul Raine, past president of TSU, said: “I am delighted with the support received from our event sponsor Plenary Project Solutions and from both Durham and Yorkshire County Unions in opening this event to a wider audience which hopefully will attract the top players from our regions in not only this 60th Anniversary event but also for many years to come.”