ELLIE GIVENS is determined to help more junior golfers cross the Atlantic.

ProDreamUSA, the Glasgow based golf scholarship consultancy, has appointed the Ladies European Tour pro as a Regional Associate.

Givens, from Darlington, is a former ProDreamUSA client, who played US College Golf at the University of Denver between 2007 and 2011.

Following her successful college career, Ellie turned pro and gained her Tour card in 2012. She is still a full member of the Tour and will combine competing with her new role at ProDreamUSA.

Givens said: “My college golf experience was instrumental in my journey to become a professional golfer and I can’t wait to help more junior golfers begin their college careers.

“As a former client I know just how passionate and professional everyone at ProDreamUSA are, so to be able combine playing on the Ladies European Tour while working with the team is very exciting.”

ProDreamUSA founder and former Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy winner Lorne Kelly said: “I’m really delighted that we are able to add Ellie to our team here at ProDreamUSA.

“We’re so proud of her achievements and we are confident that Ellie will make a huge contribution to our efforts. It’s great news particularly for the talented girls that Ellie will mentor, many of whom are looking to emulate her and one day play on the Ladies European Tour.”

Ellie, who was back in action last week at the Lalla Meryem Cup where she missed the cut, joined the ProDreamUSA team at the inaugural British Under-16 Girls Open at Fulford.

GIRLS Golf Rocks is heading back to Durham this week – and this year it’s taking new players on a playing Tour.

The campaign to attract more girl golfers has been hugely successful since it started in Durham in 2016, attracting more than 70 girls into the sport.

This year, as well as offering tasters and coaching programmes, there will be a series of playing opportunities to encourage new girl golfers to get out on the course.

Girls Golf Rocks is run by England Golf, the Golf Foundation and the Durham Ladies’ Association, with support from US Kids which provides seven-irons for the girls to use. The campaign aims to increase the number of girl golfers from an average of just two full members per club.

This year’s free taster session will be held at four clubs. Each club will also offer follow-on coaching courses with PGA professionals.

The sessions are at Seaton Carew Golf Club on May 5, 2-4pm; South Moor Golf Club May 5, 12.30-2.30pm; Eaglescliffe Golf Club May 6, 12.30-2.30pm and Durham City Golf Club on May 5, 2-4pm.

To book visit www.girlsgolfrocks.org. The new girl players will be supported at the tasters and on Tour by Ambassadors from the Durham girls’ squad, whose encouragement has helped to make Girls Golf Rocks such a success.

They include Darlington’s Ella Crang, 18. She said: “Girls Golf Rocks was a big success for Durham last year and a lot of girls kept playing golf and are now part of Durham County Junior Girls.

“All of the taster sessions were great and the fun day was a big success as there were so many girls there and we all had a great day overall.

“I thoroughly enjoyed helping out at the taster sessions and the fun day, as did all of the Durham County girls and we are really looking forward to doing it again this year!”