MAINTAINING the tradition of North-East representation in the Walker Cup this weekend will be highly-rated Knaresborough amateur John Parry.

And following the in the footsteps of Barnard Castle's Rob Dinwiddie, Malton & Norton's Simon Dyson and Hartlepool's Graeme Storm, the 20-year-old is eager to use his appearance for Great Britain & Ireland as a stepping stone to the professional game.

Parry, a member of the Harrogate Golf Club since the age of seven, views an appearance against the United States at Royal County Down as the pinnacle of his fledgling career.

After appearing in Colin Dalgleish's team GB & I side over the weekend, Parry realises that the time has arrived to pursue a career as a professional.

He will head for the first stage of European Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of next week as an amateur and there is a feeling among those that know him that he is destined for the big stage.

"He has every chance of making it," said joint pro at the Harrogate club, Sam Everson. "I have known him for a number of years because we used to be part of the juniors together and the way he goes round is of the highest quality.

"He was recently ranked tenth in the amateur world rankings and that in itself is a sign of John's potential. I know that he views the Walker Cup as pretty much the highest he can achieve in amateur golf and that he is looking to move up as soon as he can."

Parry climbed up into the top ten of the rankings after making an early bid for the Walker Cup team in March when he coasted to an emphatic 10&9 win over Frenchman Baptiste Chapellan in the final of the Spanish Amateur Championship. He has since secured a play-off victory over English teammate Paul Waring in the Welsh Open Stroke play.

The 2005 under-21 winner of the Faldo Junior Series has dropped to 12th in the rankings ahead of the Walker Cup, although only two other members of GB & Ireland - Lloyd Saltman and Daniel Willett - hold higher positions.

Not even Rory McIlroy, ranked 24, figures ahead of him. All eyes will be on the teenage Irishman after he shot to prominence when he claimed the sliver medal in July's Open Championship at Carnoustie.

"John could sneak in under the radar in the Walker Cup because everyone will be looking at Rory," said Everson, 25. "If he gets to play two or three matches then John could become a hero.

"His short game is phenomenal. It's easily up there for Tour standard and he is a fantastic match-play golfer. I just hope he is given a real chance."

Parry hails from a golfing family. His elder brother, Mark, is an assistant professional at Rudding Park Golf Club, near Harrogate, while he has two relations already on the European Tour.

Birmingham-based Tom Whitehouse, the Spanish amateur champion back in 2001, and Sam Walker are both in Switzerland playing in the Omega European Masters - on the stage Parry is eyeing up.

"John is a very down to earth lad," said Everson. "He will have had numerous offers to go to other gold clubs but he has stuck with Harrogate, where he has been since he was seven.

"One week he could be playing in the British Amateur, the English Amateur or the Walker Cup and the next he will be going round Harrogate with the juniors.

"That's what's special about him and everyone who knows him would be delighted if he helped Great Britain and Ireland win the Walker Cup."