IT’S been far too long since world class golf was on the North-East’s sporting calendar.

Back in 2005, Wynyard held the Seve Trophy. The public turned out in force, the fairways were full, the sport was showcased in the region as some of the game’s biggest names played.

Graeme Storm missed out on selection then.

When the British Masters takes place at Close House later this month, it’s an event he’s determined to be part of.

A wrist injury has kept the region’s most successful player out of action in recent weeks. He’s back in action from tomorrow in the European Masters in Switzerland; a fitness test to prepare for the biggest European Tour event the North-East has hosted.

“I was always planning a couple of weeks off as it’s been a long season following a great start,’’ he mused. “But I’ve been troubled by a wrist injury and the tournament in the Czech Republic last week just came too soon.

“It’s hard not to play and it’s been a bit difficult. I’ve been working with a trainer to keep myself fit for the rest of the season.

“But the British Masters is an event I’m looking forward to and have been for a long time.’’

Storm, who started out as a junior at Hartlepool Golf Club, was at the Northumberland venue last week to help promote the event.

When he returns to prepare towards the end of the month, the course will be in full bloom.

Some 10,000 free tickets for the opening day were instantly snapped up. Big crowds are expected for the weekend.

The North-East appreciates world class sport. It’s just a shame it’s not on the agenda every year.

“To have a tournament like this on our doorstep is huge for the North-East,’’ added Storm. “It’s been 15 years since we had the Great North Open at Slaley Hall. We don’t even get enough tournaments in England. We have the Open and the BMW at Wentworth, they are the only two on the calendar before the British Masters was reintroduced.

“Golf fans have been starved in our region – we have to travel to watch tournament golf. It’s great to be here.

“We aren’t central in England, but we are central in the UK, so it’s a good point for people to travel from Scotland and up from the south.’’

He recalled: “We had the Seve Trophy at Wynyard in 2005 and I just missed out on qualifying. Ken Ferrie the same. Wynyard is on my doorstep and at the time I was sort of attached to it.

“It was a big success, big crowds with thousands of people over the week. It was great, but 12 years is a long time.

“It’s not as if we don’t have the venues – some wonderful courses are in the North-East – maybe we aren’t as wealthy as other parts of the country.

“But at Close House we have Graham Wylie who kindly backed the event to the hilt, with the European Tour and Sky Sports pushing the event it’s helping raise the profile.’’

Some of the big Tour names are taking part – Beef Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.

Ian Poulter’s Wentworth held it last year, Lee Westwood is the club’s attached Tour professional to get it there this time around.

“On the European Tour schedule it’s a huge tournament,’’ added Storm. “You want the best players to be playing and they are in this one – Garcia, Willett, there’s two recent Masters champions. The bigger the event, the better the players for everyone coming to watch.

“It’s not about trying to beat those players, it’s more beating the golf course and shooting the best score you possibly can.

“When it comes down to the stretch you want to play against the best in the world. I was lucky enough to play against Rory McIlroy in South Africa.

“The course is superb at Close House. It’s not one of the longest courses on the European Tour, it’s probably one of the shortest.

“But it’s quite undulating and hilly, you have to make the fairways and avoid the rough, put the ball in the right place to attack the flags.

“On a good day weather-wise the scoring could be quite low. But it’s the North-East so the weather can change quite quickly.

“The wind and rain can come along, it might suit me … but we want good weather and that will attract big crowds along.’’

And while the North-East may have been starved of top class events, world-class players have been few and far between too.

Only a handful of players have made it on the European Tour, Storm leading the way with two European Tour wins, in France in 2006 and South Africa earlier this year.

He admitted: “We all want to see more players from the North-East on the European Tour, we haven’t produced that many over the years.

“Ken Ferrie is probably the most successful on Tour, Chris Paisley is playing well right now and I’ve won twice, but we are looking for the next generation. One of the reasons behind the Graeme Storm Junior Open is to discover new talent and give them a platform to shine.’’

Victory in the play-off in South Africa after going head to head with Rory McIlroy secured Storm’s Tour card for 2018. It’s a far cry to 12 months ago when he was scratching around for prize money to keep his credentials.

Pressure? There’s none of it this time around.

He added: “I don’t have to think about keeping my card or what next year might bring. I know what I’m doing and what I’m planning for and it’s been disappointing with the injury, how it’s come about at a time when I want to push on and seal a place in the Race to Dubai at the end of the year – I was in a great position and then inactivity means I’ve fallen about 20 spots down the Order of Merit.

“That’s difficult to take, but if I can play well for the remainder of the season and get fit then maybe fight for another title. There’s no pressure on me this year, it’s about enjoying my golf.

“I’ve been out about a month and started hitting balls last week so Switzerland this week is a good chance to get ready for the British Masters.''

For tickets and event information visit closehouse.com or europeantour.com