A YOUNG golfer is appealing for financial support to help him achieve his dream of turning professional after being dealt a double blow.

Callum Moncur, from Darlington, has qualified for the final rounds of the Junior European Open but is not sure whether he can attend after his previous sponsor pulled its support.

The 16-year-old suffered another blow after his clubs, bag and other equipment was stolen when his family's car was broken into.

READ MORE: Big Tour goal for Darlington's teenage champion Callum

The local golfing community rallied together in response, with a Go Fund Me campaign raising enough funds to replace most of the missing equipment, with MAF Plumbing & Heating also stepping in to purchase a new trolley. Rockliffe Hall has also provided the talented youngster with a year’s membership and coaching.

Callum, who is a pupil at Haughton Academy, said: "After my clubs and equipment were stolen, I was absolutely heartbroken, but my faith in humanity was restored when other golfers from Darlington started contributing to my Go Fund Me, buying me equipment and providing me with club memberships with coaching.

“It gave me the drive I needed to double-down on my golfing, and hopefully I’ve made them proud by winning the Northern Junior Tour, AMA 2020 PPO Tour and the 2021 Rockliffe Masters."

The final of the Junior European Open is set to take place in Spain in November.

To achieve his dream of turning professional, Callum estimates he will need to raise a further £4,500 a year to pay for his attendance at tournaments, additional equipment, accommodation and travel expenses so that he can attend Myerscough Golf College in Preston.

He hopes two years of tutelage at the specialist educational centre will be enough to secure a golf scholarship to an American university – the stepping stone to becoming a world-class professional golfer.

He added: “I want to show them their investment and faith in me was worthwhile, by going the distance and turning professional. But to do that, I need to continue to play in tournaments to build up my experience, and by attending Myerscough College I will get the expert tuition I need to perfect my skills.

"That’s going to cost me about £4,500 each year, and although my parents work very hard to be able to provide me with what they can, unfortunately golf is a rich man’s sport and it’s out of our reach.

"But if I am able to secure a scholarship to Golf University as a result of my hard work and the backing of the kind people of Darlington, I have every faith I can have a bright future on the green.”

His Go Fund Me campaign can be found here.

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