IF you have ever fancied playing one of the world’s top golf courses but never got round to it, an exciting virtual simulator in Newcastle allows you to do just that – and have a drink while you are there.

The Golf Rooms in Forth Street on Tyneside invites golfers of all handicaps to experience virtual golf, with your own clubs or those on site, in a trendy bar environment.

While golfers hit over the Swilcan Burn at St Andrew’s or down the 18th at Pebble Beach, they can also enjoy a soft drink or something stronger in between shots. Lagers, wines, champagnes and soft drinks are all available.

It is Newcastle’s first and only virtual golf lounge and owner Lewis Silmon said: "We are keen for people to come along and experience something different. We can cater for all different sizes of groups, whether on a night out or just fancying a game of golf. I'm sure everyone who tries it will enjoy the experience."

For further information contact 07591 805851 or look at the Golf Rooms website.

IN FIVE years of golf at Rockliffe Hall in County Durham, hole-in-ones have been few and far between. Yet last weekend there were two in one day – and on the same hole.

Darlington’s 13-handicapper Richard James holed his tee shot on the tricky 169-yard par three 15th and during the same morning Newton Aycliffe’s 19-handicapper followed suit.

“We have had less than ten hole-in-ones in the time we have been open,” said assistant pro Jonny Dye. “So two have two on the same day is going some. Richard got the whiskeys in for everyone after his.”

HARTLEPOOL'S Alex Wrigley and Rockliffe’s James Maw have missed out on qualifying for the Challenge Tour through the EuroPro Tour.

The pair failed to climb in to the top five spots in the Race to El Gouna rankings after the final event.

Maw, whose biggest earner of the year was tied second at the FSC Invitational at The Astbury, finished 25th after earning £8,911. Wrigley, saved his best for last at El Gouna in the final event when he finished tied fifth. That took his season’s earnings to £6,827.

NORTHUMBERLAND duo Kenneth Ferrie and Garrick Porteous have been pushing to earn European Tour cards this week at Tour School. Qualifying at PGA Catalunya comes to an end today, with Harrogate’s John Parry also aiming to build on a promising start after a disappointing season on the European Tour.