A ONE-ARMED golfer from the region has proved to be the best in the world at his sport.

Darlington’s Darren Grey has become the one-armed golf champion – and moved to the top of the world rankings.

An interview with golfer, Darren Grey, recorded in 2008 shortly before he was due to compete in the one-armed equivalent of the Ryder Cup.


The 25-year-old beat global competition at the Nairn and Dunbar Golf Club, in Scotland, this weekend, to return to the region with the title.

Mr Grey, born with the lower part of his left arm missing, beat 47 competitors in two rounds of qualifying, before competing in the main tournament.

In the main tournament, he beat English, Swedish and South African competitors before taking on Irish golfer Cian Arthur in the final.

Mr Grey made hard work of the final, going five up before a fight back from his opponent left him to hold on at two up and finally secure the title on the 17th hole.

“I am over the moon. I am still trying to get my head round it all. It is years of hard work paying off,” said Mr Grey.

But far from resting on his laurels it was straight back to the practice range for Mr Grey, who is preparing for the next two major tournaments of the year.

Firstly, he will join the European team in the one-armed golfers equivalent of the Ryder Cup, the Fightmaster Cup, in September.

Mr Grey finished with a steady five points in the last Fightmaster Cup two years ago, but the European team still suffered defeat.

A change to the tournament this year will see the competition contested between a rest of the world team against a North American team at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue, Celtic Manor.

Mr Grey said: “I think the rest of the world team has a great chance in the tournament.

“We have players with better handicaps than we did in 2008 and I am really confident of a win.”

Then he will go straight back to action at the Disabled British Open tournament at the East Sussex National Golf and Country Club, a few days later.

Mr Grey said: “I am confident going into the tournament as the world’s best.

“I am looking forward to playing on a good championship course in East Sussex.

It should be quite a challenge.”