WHEN James Glenn travelled over to England a couple of years ago he did so having never played links golf; he’s certainly got a taste for it now.

The American, from Texas, is studying for a PhD at Durham University and has caught the eye on the fairway too, having forced his way onto the Durham Union county team after putting in the work at both Brancepeth Castle and Bishop Auckland.

His stock in these parts grew further last weekend when he won the Seaton Salver to claim 150 points on the Union’s Order of Merit, making the most of the Brabazon Course’s improved conditions from 12 months ago.

“I spent time in Wiltshire when I was younger but then most of my life I have lived in Texas, so playing links golf was never on my agenda until a couple of years ago,” said Glenn.

“When I stepped off the plane to come over to the North-East I had never played a links course before, even though I had always wanted to, particularly in the UK.

“Because of a number of university medals I’ve now played a bit at West Lancashire, Southport and Ainsdale, the Old Course St Andrew’s, Crail in Fife … I’ve been playing at Cleveland too, as well as Seaton. It was great to win last weekend.”

While Glenn’s emergence onto the North-East amateur circuit during the last couple of years was under the radar, his impressive record across the Atlantic meant he was always likely to pose a threat.

“I was something of a late bloomer in golfing terms really,” said Glenn. “I only played my first competition at the age of 16 which was the South Carolina Star Junior comp and I shot 93-86.

“I got a coach who mentored me after that and I got down to 78-73 the following year. It was too late for me then though because kids already had uni scholarships locked up.

“But I was in the first team Ping All-American in 2010 coming out of junior college, the No 1 ranked played in my division. I went on a college scholarship to Sam Houston State University, a mid-tier Division One school in the US, and played there for two years.

“I won a tournament in my senior year and left in 2012 to work for two years but in the summer of 2013 I won the qualifier for the US Public Amateur Championship, achieving this when I was working behind a desk!

“It just didn’t feel quite right for me at that time to go for it and to try to get on the web.com Tour, so I came over here to continue my education.”

Before the Salver, Glenn had already finished third in the British Universities and Colleges Sport, just a shot behind Darlington’s Andrew Wilson, who finished tied with him on the BUCS Order of Merit. Glenn could still have a further three years at Durham if his PhD goes to plan.

“I love the North-East, I spent time in Wiltshire growing up, but the North-East is just as prettier place and the people are a lot friendlier up here,” said Glenn, a scratch handicapper intending to attack the EuropPro Tour in 2017.

“I have considered turning pro before but I wanted to come over here to continue my education first, Durham had some scholarship money available for someone like me and it was a nice fit.”

The Brabazon course was also a nice fit for Glenn on Saturday, when he followed up an opening round 74 with a two-under 70 to finish two shots ahead of Seaton Carew’s Phil Nicholson on his own track.

Glenn, who also works behind the bar at Brancepeth, said: “On the first hole I put my two iron out of bounds and shot a 74. After that someone told me when I birdied my 29th hole that level par was leading in the clubhouse. I tried to block that out and I made two birdies on the way back in to win by two shots.

“I played last year but the weather was horrendous. The conditions were great this time. It was cool on the morning and picked up but just what you would expect on a Teesside track.

“Playing that Brabazon course is a pure test of golf. Your iron off the tees and putting has to be on point. You have to be creative and imaginative. The greens were pure, they were some of the best I have ever played on.”