IN a bid to make the progress towards even greater things, Cameron Wallace has turned to two men boasting hugely successful reputations of their own during their amateur careers – and the decision has worked down to a tee so far.

Wallace, currently playing out of Castle Eden and still a member at Seaton Carew, was crowned the AoC Sport Open Golf champion when he stunned the field with his display at Morley Hayes, Derbyshire.

It marked his latest success story having previously won the Durham Boys Northern Counties’ title as well as finishing runner-up in the Durham Men’s Championship at Sharpley last year.

Sharpley has become a course he is familiar with over the last 18 months, having regularly made the trip up to meet his coach, Simon Robinson. The sessions he has had with the former European and World boys champion have clearly paid off.

“It initially started on my short game with Simon, and that has developed into more and I have come on leaps and bounds working with him,” said Wallace. “He has helped me massively. I try to get to see him once a week and it’s been really good for me.”

The guidance hasn’t stopped there either because he has struck up a friendship with former British Amateur champion Garrick Porteous, which has led to him playing some golf with him at the Northumberland GC.

Porteous, who was playing in the EuroPro Tour opener last week at Close House, achieved a long list of honours as an amateur before capping it off with his success at Royal Clinque Ports in 2013. That victory earned him appearances at the US Masters and The Open.

Wallace, who was introduced to him when he was being fitted for clubs at Dynamic Golf, said: “We have been emailing and texting each other, and I have played with him at Northumberland.

“It’s really good to hear the advice from him. He is helping me with my course management and has explained how things can go wrong if you don’t stay focused.”

Wallace is working towards a BTEC Sport diploma at Hartlepool College of Further Education and has longer term ambitions to take on a scholarship in the US. In becoming the National Colleges’ champion for 2017, he is certainly on the right track.

The 17-year-old, who was watched and supported in Derbyshire by his College coach and Seaton Carew pro Clifford Jackson, said: “It makes me feel great to be the first national champion from Hartlepool College of FE. It’s made me believe in myself more and I just want to keep getting better and better.

“I’ve got the Fairhaven Trophy on Thursday which I can head into full of confidence because of what I have achieved this year already. My game is in great shape and my aim is to finish in the top five in more national competitions because I have the ability to do so.”

Wallace had to beat 60 other competitors aged 16-19 to become the colleges’ No 1 and was the only golfer to take part from the North-East. He led from the front on day one when he held a shot lead and followed that up with a solid level par second round in windy conditions to triumph.

Wallace said: “Playing with Garrick has really helped me because I have seen how he is on a different level. That’s inspired me to keep getting better and I am pleased with how things are going. I am a far better golfer than I was 18 months ago.

“I want to make sure it continues. I am at the Fairhaven this week, which starts on Thursday, and last year I missed the cut. This year I am going there thinking I would like to finish in the top ten rather than just make the cut, because I know I have the ability.”