THE Open Championship's amateur hero, Stuart Wilson, was hitting the fairways at a North-East course in a bid to help him gain qualification to the Royal Troon showpiece.

Up until May the Scot - winner of the silver medal for finishing as the top amateur on Sunday - was living in Darlington with his wife Lesley, who was a teacher at the town's Branksome School.

The couple have since returned to their roots north of the border to continue married life in Forfar.

During their time in the North-East, though, Wilson regularly had a drive to Dinsdale Spa golf club where he had been allowed to hone his skills around the green by chairman Ken Park.

And it was not long after his time in Darlington that he became British Amateur champion with a 4&3 victory over Lee Corfield at St Andrews - a win that secured his place in the 133rd Open and the US Masters in Augusta next April.

"We met a lot of friends down in Darlington and we really enjoyed our time down there," said Wilson, who runs the Auchterlonie golf club in Monifieth.

"It was never our intention to live there permanently because we knew eventually we wanted to settle where we are from.

"I used to play at Dinsdale Spa. They were good to me because they allowed me to practise and that helped me to keep up my game. The chairman there, Ken Park, gave me permission and that was really good of him."

Wilson, who celebrated his 27th birthday on the day of the fourth round at Royal Troon, has now played in the Open twice.

But, unlike his first appearance in 2001, this time he made the weekend's play and he sat proudly in fourth spot on Thursday night having posted a 68, three under par, opening round.

"I was playing really good golf and I was happy with how things were going," said Wilson, who slipped off the pace and finished tied 63rd with a four round total of 12 over par.

"I always look at my game after I play and say 'I could have done better there, or there.' But just to play the full four days in the Open is tremendous.

"It was a fantastic experience and one I would love to do again. To get the silver medal is the top prize for me."

Wilson, a member of the successful Walker Cup team in Ganton last September, is unlikely to turn professional because, having tried it once before, he is quite happy to keep his amateur status and continue to manage his club shop.

* Twelve of the region's golfers are preparing to battle it out for a place in the final of the International Pairs.

Two pairings from Durham City, Clive Oliphant & Steve Robinson and John Embleton & Malcolm Chatton, will both be heading to Roxburghe for next Wednesday's showdown.

As well as that quartet Tony Clark & Brian Cooper (Crook), Chris Joyce & Murray Beattie (Hexham), Stuart Hicks & Clive Watson (Middlesbrough) and Woodham duo Graeme Bell & Paul Wade will all be travelling north of the border next week.

They are all hoping to clinch a place in the final which is being held in Cardrona, Peeblesshire in October.

The semi-final will be played over 54 holes.

Published: 20/07/2004