HEXHAM Golf Club will help the world look for the big hitters.

It has announced a partnership with nationwide golf retailer American Golf for its inaugural Long Drive Ladies Championship next month.

New to the 2016 American Golf events schedule, qualifiers for the Ladies Championship will take place throughout June. Hexham has been chosen as a one of four host venues where the qualifier takes place on Wednesday, June 1.

Entry is free. Anne Moyle, Lady Captain from Hexham, said: “We’re really excited about being part of the American Golf Ladies Championship and look forward to welcoming the region’s best golfers to the golf club.”

The top three pairs at this qualifier will win a prize and qualify for the grand final at The Belfry in September. Details can be found at www.americangolf.co.uk/events

SLALEY HALL has embraced National Golf Month with a day of fun events on Sunday, May 15.

National Golf Month is an initiative driven by the British Golf Industry Association (BGIA), with the full support of the whole of the golf industry. It is designed to drive more participation in the sport: to encourage youngsters and families to take up golf and also to welcome back people who’ve played previously but may have stopped.

There will be skills challenges, custom-fitting sessions and a chance to pick up tips and advice from the resort’s team of professionals, while food and refreshments will be available. Prizes to be won include golf clothes, fourball vouchers and membership opportunities.

THE exciting new game of SpeedGolf comes to Yorkshire on May 20 at Catterick Golf Club.

The game, which requires competitors to get round the course as quickly as possible with the best score is an exciting new initiative promoted by SpeedGolf UK.

Catterick captain Brian de la Haye said: "This is a great new sport with the need to trade-off speed with golfing ability against the clock and we hope it will appeal to the athletically minded golfer."

For entry, phone Catterick Golf Club on (01748) 833671 or visit the website for the club or www.golfempire.co.uk.