ROB DINWIDDIE hopes his maiden major amateur success has gone a long way towards convincing Walker Cup selectors he should be given an opportunity to fulfil a dream.

The Barnard Castle golfer cruised to a three shot victory on Sunday night to become Scottish Amateur champion at Royal Aberdeen for the first time.

However, that success by no means guarantees his inclusion in the Great Britain & Ireland team to face the United States in August - although that could be aided if he repeats his performance in Wales this week.

Dinwiddie, named in a preliminary 29-man Walker Cup squad by the Royal & Ancient selection committee, will tee off at Royal David's on Friday knowing Welsh Amateur Championship glory will increase his chances of a call-up ten-fold.

And, after graduating from Tennessee University in Nashville just this year, Dinwiddie would love to cross the pond and represent his country in trying to outgun the Americans.

"That would be an absolute perfect scenario," said Dinwiddie, who is joined by Middlesbrough's Michael Skelton in the squad. "To play Walker Cup golf is every amateur golfer's dream and I'm no different. The fact it's in America would be fantastic.

"But I know my place is far from secured, far from it. All I can do is play well in the Welsh and hopefully win it - everything is then out of my hands.

"Even if I win in Wales I might not be guaranteed a place. Selections don't go on what you win so I'll just have to see, although it would be fantastic to be a part of a Walker Cup team."

Despite finishing University, Dinwiddie is postponing turning professional for at least 12 months and would like to force his way into the England Elite squad next year.

If he was to achieve that status he believes his game would benefit to the extent he would be ready to make the step up to qualify for a place on the European Tour.

And if Dinwiddie - who disappointed in the British Amateur Championship last month - keeps performing as he did in Scotland then his omission from the Walker Cup team would be controversial.

It was quite fitting he became only the third Englishman to win the gold medal at Royal Aberdeen, as he spent years living north of the border during his childhood.

"I moved back when I was about eight and spent a couple of years in a little village called Kippford in Dumfries," said Dinwiddie.

"I suppose being up there helped me develop a love for the game because it's such a great place to play.

"I was also brought up on golf because my dad loved it, his dad loved it and so on."

* Durham's County side lost by three points to Lancashire on Saturday.

The day got off to the worst possible start at Hartlepool when only county champion Michael Curry (Brancepeth Castle) & Steve Dance (Ramside) from the home side recorded a victory in the foursomes.

Castle Eden's Tom Maddison & Bishop Auckland's Jamie Birkbeck did halve their match but Lancashire took a massive step by gaining a three point lead going into the singles.

The afternoon singles faired better for Durham and ended all square at 6-6. Maddison, Curry, Ramside's Ian Parnaby, Tyneside's Ricky Lee and Seaton Carew's James Harper all won their matches, while South moor's Michael Finley and Castle Eden's Graham Border halved their encounters.

l The starting times for this Thursday's County Seniors Championships at South Shields have been confirmed.

They are: 9:00 A. Atkinson W. Allen; 9:10 R. Thompson A. Gilley; 9:20 FL. Stephenson M. Brennan T. Gardner; 9:30 M. Willans L. Clough D. Olley; 9:40 J. Clarke A. Faragher B. Crampton; 9:50 T. Collinson B. Wilkinson R.S. Robson; 10:00 A. Ormiston J.T. Kennedy S. Rowland; 10:10 D. Jones A. Dobson M. Measor; 10:20 B. Dixon M. Waters P. Byrne; 10:30 L.H. Dunbar N. Buchanan K. Storey; 10:40 R.W. Marley J. Morrow M. Hoyles; 10:50 G. Bowes D. Livingston F. Capstick; 11:00; 11:10 G.J. Golightly R. Severs D. Sawyers; 11:20 N.R. Holcroft T. Murphy R.B. Turner; 11:30 J.L. Naisby J. Thomas D.J. Taylor; 11:40 D. Olaman H. Ashby W. Riddell.