OUTSIDERS Durham are prepared to fly Robert Dinwiddie back across the Atlantic in a bid to succeed in the National Finals for the first time in the county's history.

Dinwiddie was the star of the show in the Northern Counties Championship at Seaton Carew last Saturday when he shot a 140 two round total to help Durham finish first in the six-man team competition.

The Barnard Castle golfer's performance was further proof of the his growing talent, following on from his achievements in the British Amateur when he reached the last 16.

It is only the second time Durham have reached the National Finals - after their success in the Northern Counties in 1989 - and there are fears that they will have to go there without the help of Dinwiddie.

He returns to America on August 31 to start his final year at Tennessee State University, but Durham are prepared top pay for him to return to England for four days in an attempt to help the side to glory at Worksop on September 24-26.

And county champion Hugh Hamilton, who impressively won in his match with close-friend Richard Walker of Lancashire, has welcomed the decision to get Dinwiddie on board.

"He is having a great time at the moment and it is no surprise that Durham are trying to get Robert to play in September," said Hamilton, who shot a 70, 72 on his home course.

"It's the most difficult format of golf to play in because it is so unusual. But we have a good team and we want the best players available. Robert is one of those."

Hamilton - who also has James Harper (Seaton Carew), Castle Eden's Tom Maddison, Consett's Mark Ridley and Durham City's Ian Parnaby alongside him - also believes the result has made a lot of people sit up and take notice.

"Everyone had been expecting us to be the whipping boys because we have not been doing well in the league," said the plus two-handicapper. "But we seem to be really enjoying this and we will be going there with the intention of doing well."

Result: Durham (six man total) 886; Lancashire 893; Northumberland 895; Cumbria 898; Yorkshire 900; Cheshire 918; Isle of Man 898.

* Middlesbrough's Michael Skelton will be gunning for glory in next month's European Youth Team Championships.

The 20-year-old has been named in the England squad to travel to Ireland for the competition which is being held at The Island Golf Club, near Dublin, on July 6-10.

Skelton was part of the successful Walker Cup team that claimed the trophy for Great Britain & Ireland at Ganton last September and he already has his place booked for next year's return match in Chicago.

As well as the remarkable Walker Cup victory, he also lifted the Welsh Open Amateur champion and finished runner-up in the English championship.

Skelton has been named along with Lytham Trophy winner James Heath and Brabazon Trophy champion Matthew Richardson in the England team.

There are also places in the team for Cheshire's Paul Waring and Suffolk pair Jamie Moul and Lawrence Dodd.

* Sixty seven top amateurs entered for the premier medal event in the Harrogate Union's calendar - a 36 hole competition off scratch for the Ogden Trophy.

After 18 holes, Carl Simpkin (Ripon) and Joe Buckley (Harrogate) shared the lead on 72, with four others in second place, including Chris Hughes (Ilkley).

Despite the wet conditions it was Hughes who dominated the afternoon round with a superb record breaking 67 to win the competition by five strokes.

Results: 1. Chris Hughes (Ilkley) (2) 140, 2. Carl Simpkin (Ripon City) (3) 145, 3. Tom Hesketh (Oakdale) (2) 148, 4. Roger Parry (Bedale) (3) 148. Best Nett: Nick Dodsworth (Knaresborough) 138.

Published: 25/06/2004