IN 1999 Hartlepool's Graeme Storm's nerve-defying six-foot putt clinched victory over the United States. Two years ago Middlesbrough's Michael Skelton was part of another successful Walker Cup team.

This weekend Rob Dinwiddie wants to become the most recent North-East name to be added on to the distinguished trophy's winners' list when he represents Great Britain and Ireland against the United States.

The Barnard Castle golfer knows his task is a little more difficult this time around. Both Storm and Skelton were on home soil - Nairn and Ganton respectively - when they got their hands on amateur golf's version of the Ryder Cup.

Dinwiddie, though, knows the Garth McGimpsey captained side are going to have to do things the hard way. The 22-year-old, along with the rest of the squad, have been in America all week in preparation for the first day's play at the Chicago Golf Club today.

Having spent years on the American college circuit, where he graduated from Tennessee University earlier this year, the man from Teesdale knows exactly what to expect from the course on the other side of the Atlantic.

"The chairman of selectors, Peter McEvoy, and Garth McGimpsey are experienced men and will have looked at what the conditions are like in Chicago," said Dinwiddie.

"My team-mates Rhys Davies and Richie Ramsay have both had experience of playing in America as well as myself.

"I hope that will help us a great deal.

"We spent a week together in Valderrama in Spain last month to try to get used to playing in the hot temperatures and that was a good thing to do.

"The greens are going to be treacherously fast and the emphasis will be on the short game.

"Distance control will be the key to our chances and we will have to try to keep the ball below the hole as much as possible. Keeping plenty fluids on board in the heat will also be vital."

As far as following in the glorious footsteps of Storm and Skelton goes, Dinwiddie believes the trio's emergence over the past six years highlights the promising state golf in this region finds itself in.

He also expects Hartlepool's Simon Robinson to continue the upsurge after learning of Robinson's back-to-back wins on the PGA EuroPro Tour this summer.

"It's a nice feeling to know that the North-East has been represented regularly in the Walker Cup. To be one of those representatives is fantastic," said Dinwiddie. "I know Simon and he is a similar age to me and has always been a good player.

"It's great to know there are more northern guys on the scene."

Robinson will miss out on a place in future Walker Cup squads so long as he continues in the professional game and, for that reason, Dinwiddie will never regret staying amateur until he could earn his place in the GB & Ireland team.

That call up was earned largely down to his heroics in June when he succeeded in becoming Scottish and Welsh amateur champion in the space of seven days - his first major successes on British soil.

Dinwiddie had feared he would miss out because of a poor display in the British Amateur Championship.

"I remember sitting at home when the phone rang and it was Peter McEvoy," he recalled. "Peter asked me whether it was a good time to call. I said 'it's always a good time to hear from you Peter'.

"He said I was in the team and I was over the moon.

"I celebrated with a couple of beers that night but I was back on the course again the following morning so I couldn't have too many.

"To be named in the Walker Cup team has always been one of my biggest aims. It's the most important thing for me to achieve as an amateur."

Even after playing the team game at the Chicago club in Wheaton over the next two days Dinwiddie is still refraining from making a hasty decision on his future.

Having been ranked the number one English amateur in the States during his days as a student there is an affection for going back and trying to make a name for himself on the US Tour - as Luke Donald, another former Walker Cup winner, has.

Dinwiddie's girlfriend, Janelle Posthauer, hails from North Carolina so there is a real chance the 22-year-old will eventually return to the States to make a go on the US PGA Tour.

But first and foremost success in the Walker Cup is top of his priorities. "I am in no rush to turn pro. It's something I want to do but I also want to do other things first," said Dinwiddie, who wants a full season with the England Elite squad under his belt first.

"Luke Donald is a good role model for me to look at because to go over to America and play most of my golf, as he has, is certainly something I'm keen on doing.

"I'm just thinking about the Walker Cup for now and I want to go down as a winner.

Published: 13/08/2005