ROCKLIFFE Hall has taken on former European and World Boys’ champion Simon Robinson as its new Head of Instruction.

Formerly from Sharpley Golf Club, he has seven years’ experience as a golf coach and has plans for a variety of classes for all abilities, including ladies “Get into Golf”, “Learn Golf in a Day”, junior coaching sessions during school holidays and hopes to start a junior academy.

Robinson, 38, has a degree in sociology having played college golf at the University of Houston. He participated in the 2000 winning Palmer Cup team before turning professional in 2004 and started to compete on the EuroPro Tour. In his first year on the tour, Robinson won three times, the first player to do so.

On the Challenge Tour, where he played for four seasons, his most notable win was in 2008 at the SK Challenge in Finland and he had two spells on the European Tour in 2009 and 2010.

He has also been named Durham County Union captain for 2019.

Robinson, of Hartlepool, said: “I’m delighted to have joined the golf team at Rockliffe. It’s a fabulous resort and the golf course and its facilities are exceptional.

“I’m looking forward to offering lots of great options for golfers, as well as private lessons, for members and guests visiting Rockliffe Hall.”

RICHMOND Golf Club has launched a new lifestyle membership scheme aimed at giving time-constrained golfers value for money.

The flexible points based membership is being aimed at new members looking to join a club, but comes without the financial commitment of traditional 12-month membership costs.

Priced at £300 for 100 points, Lifestyle Membership at Richmond provides golfers with the opportunity to hold an official handicap and play in club competitions, while providing a lower financial outlay and flexibility around family or work life.

The 100 points last for 12 months and can be used throughout the year with varying costs per round depending on the time of day and week. Points can also be topped up at any stage.

SEATON Carew’s junior vice-captain Ella Jackson made it two-in-a-row when she won the Durham County Girls’ Appleby Bowl for the second year running on Sunday.

The 15-year-old, who’s a pupil at English Martyrs in Hartlepool, shot both the best gross and nett scores with a round of 90-14-76.

The competition was held at Hartlepool and Ella, whose father Clifford is the PGA Professional at Seaton Carew, made fairly light work of the tough conditions, even though her winning round included a quadruple bogey on the Par 3 seventh.

The victory was an ideal way for the youngster, who turned 15 just two days before, to round off a weekend of celebrations.