HEXHAM’S Matty Lamb will be flying the flag for the North-East at the men’s Home Internationals in Ireland next month.

The 21-year-old is the only man from the region to have been named in the squad named by England Golf for the defence of its title at Lahinch on 11-13 September.

Lamb finished second, one shot behind winner Jake Burnage, at this year’s St Andrews Links Trophy, was third in the Hampshire Salver and reached the last 16 of both the English Amateur and The Amateur Championship.

There is still a chance he will be joined by Malton & Norton’s David Hague. The 23-year-old, who won the Seaton Salver this year, is a reserve and was a member of last year’s winning Home Internationals team. He went undefeated winning six points from the foursomes and singles. He also represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy.

GRAEME Storm, the European Tour star, has opened a new practice facility at Brancepeth Castle.

The event could not have gone any better and Brancepeth are hoping the improvements for golfers to work on their game will be a boost for the County Durham club.

Jim Murray, the chairman of Brancepeth, said: “It was most satisfying for someone of Graeme’s stature in the game of golf to come along on a Sunday morning to mark the conclusion of a two-year project by the club. He hit a few balls and cut the ribbon.”

Storm also found time to give some tips to six-year-old Ben Robinson, who also hit a few balls and was very impressive for his age.

The new facility consists of one teaching bay, two general covered bays and five artificial hitting turf bays.

It is open to the public and is the first on the west side of Durham. Practice facility membership is available and details can be obtained by contacting the club or the club’s pro shop.

A LEADING County Durham hotel has seen its best six-month period for ladies’ golf since the golf course opened for the first time in 2004.

Headlam’s new pro, Julie Welch, came into the job having highlighted the great potential the club had to increase the number of women members and players, and her expectations have already been exceeded.

“Interest in the game here at Headlam has never been higher,” Julie said. “The R&A is passionate about the potential for the women’s game, and we at Headlam want to be at the forefront of that growth.

“Last year, the R&A launched a Women in Golf Charter to increase the number of women and girls participating in golf, and I’m pleased to say that we have seen many new female groups of golfers on the fairways at Headlam in recent weeks.”