FOUR of the Region's top professional golf instructors went back to school on Wednesday to learn how to bring the game to youngsters across the region.

Marcus Webb, (Bedlingtonshire GC), Gary Shipley, (Whitley Bay GC), Patricia Smiley, (Wilton GC) and Robert Lister, (Ramside Hall Hotel and golf club), used mini plastic golf clubs and oversized, foam golf balls at Ramside Hall, County Durham as part of their training to become regional co-ordinators for Extra Golf.

Extra Golf is an initiative being piloted in the North-East to bring Tri-Golf to primary schools across the region.

Tri-golf is a safe, fun introduction to golf and works along the same principles as short tennis or kwik cricket. Plastic clubs, oversized, foam golf balls and a variety of games and activities are combined to encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

The four regional co-ordinators will act as the main contact point for Extra Golf helping to set up links with local schools and co-ordinate coaching programmes in conjunction with local sports Development Officers and Active Sports Partnership managers.

The Golf Foundation as part of the England Junior Golf Partnership is working alongside Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast and Sport England to deliver Extra Golf across the region.

Golf Foundation Development Manager, Stuart Armstrong said: "This is an unprecedented opportunity for the England Junior Golf Partnership in that the funding provided by One NorthEast and Sport England will mean that over 5,000 children will be given a taste of golf where previously little or no opportunities existed."

John Bridge, Chairman, One NorthEast said: "The appointment of the Tri Golf Co-ordinators is a further example of the growing commitment to the development of golf in the North-East and supports the Ryder Cup bid."

A team of Sports Development Officers in Middlesbrough is already working with primary schools to give every child in the area the chance to learn how to play golf.