A LOCAL club professional will be heading to The Open next summer to coach spectators.

Ross Jackson, from Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy, is one of 22 PGA pros to have been selected among an 8,000-strong membership to represent them at Royal Birkdale in the R&A Swing Zone.

Jackson will be responsible for taking sessions on the west coast as part of the experience and he is already looking ahead to the experience.

He said: "It is a huge honour. To be one of the 22 coaches selected from the 8000 strong PGA membership during the event is something I am incredibly proud of. I am thoroughly looking forward to promoting a sport I am so passionate about at such a fantastic event. I hope to see a few of you there!"

Jackson’s Ross Jackson Golf Foundation held a fundraiser recently that brought in more than £1000 which will go back into promoting the sport in either a coaching or tournament capacity. There were 47 golfers who took part, of all ages.

And Jackson said: "The event was a huge success - we had 47 players compete in the event, which consisted of a mixture of adult and junior participants.

“Overall we raised over £1000 which will go directly towards promoting junior golf on a local and regional basis; this will be in the form of coaching initiatives and tournament events.

“I would personally like to thank the participants and everyone involved with the event, your support was overwhelming and sincerely appreciated. I would also like to thank Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy for hosting the event and to all the sponsors for supplying the prizes.

“We have big plans to expand the event in the future to raise more funds in order to supply further junior golfing benefits to the area.”

ALAN Clifton scored an impressive 43 points to win the Individual Stableford Division One on Sunday at Richmond. The 12-handicapper posted two birdies and 11 pars in his impressive round, which also included a no-return, to win by two points from Paul Walsh (41). Division Two was also won with a score of 43 points as 21-handicapper D Alderson edged it by a point from M Dolan.

Richmond have launched a series of winter special packages which are available until the end of March from £15.

Package 1 is a coffee & bacon roll and 18 holes of golf for £15 (midweek) or £18.50 (weekend). Package 2 is 18 holes of golf and a one-course meal in the Alessandro's Hideaway restaurant on site costing £18 (midweek) or £22 (weekend). Package 3 is a coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes of golf and a one-course meal for £21.50 (midweek) or £25.50 (weekend).

Anyone booking a party of 16 or more players will receive a complimentary 4-ball. To book any of the packages, call 01748 823231 and Option 2.