THE World of professional golf could be beckoning a young amateur who has recently enjoyed success in Europe. Jamie Birkbeck finished in the mid 30s out of more than 146 professional golfers at the European Professional Development Tour in Oliva Nova, Spain, last month.

The 26-year-old, who plays golf for Bishop Auckland Golf Club, took part in the week long tournament by special invitation after impressing organisers with his talents when he played in a team event in Spain last year.

He and his teammates from Bishop Auckland claimed a nail-biting victory in the Mail on Sunday National Golf Club Classic last November and it was Mr Birkbeck's performance against a young professional that gained him recognition.

Mr Birkbeck, who works as an assistant green keeper at Bishop Auckland Golf Club, said: "I just got an invite from the Director of Golf over there, who was organising the competition in Oliva Nova. It was a professional tournament but he was given five wildcards to give to amateurs to take part and I was one of them."

Mr Birkbeck has been playing golf at Bishop Auckland since he was ten but is keen to play down stories that following the tournament he was looking for sponsorship to turn professional.

He said: "I have never said that I was looking to turn professional. Obviously if somebody came up to me and offered to pay me to play golf that would be different, I would be daft not to.

"I think I could be good enough but it is hard to say really. At the moment I play about three games a week and I managed to do well in Spain playing against professionals from all over the world.

"Turning professional would be a way of life and it would mean practising everyday instead of just playing on an afternoon after work so who knows how I would improve.''

Mr Birkbeck said that he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from his fellow teammates and members at Bishop Auckland Golf Club.

He said: "It was a week long tournament and by the time you added up the accommodation, entry fee and car hire you were looking at £1,000.

"Clive Auld and Graham Sheldon suggested that I write to members and see if they would support me financially and the majority did.

"Clive helped me write the letters and he held a charity night and asked people to donate something for my trip on the night. The members gave £20 each and some of the businesses in town gave money. It was a big help and I am really grateful."

Mr Auld, former captain at the club, said that he had been only too happy to help Jamie raise funds for his trip to Spain.

He said: "Jamie has done really well recently and we are very proud of what he has achieved."