AS if the fact he arrived at Seaton Carew this week as defending champion wasn't enough in isolation to make Ben Brown the star attraction at the English Amateur Championship, there's also the matter of having spent a Sunday in the company of world number one Scottie Scheffler earlier this month.

He carried the bag for his older brother Dan, who enjoyed a remarkable week to finish in the top 10 at The Open in his major debut, but now, for Ben, from Bedale, the focus is back on his own game.

This week, he's aiming to become the first player since European Ryder Cup star Paul Casey in 1999 and 2000 to go back-to-back at the English Amateur.

On the subject of firsts, the prestigious competition - with past winners including Nick Faldo, Danny Willett and Tommy Fleetwood - has never been held in Teesside or County Durham before now. But if this is a first visit to Seaton Carew for any of the 200-plus men or 84 women taking part, it almost certainly won't be their last. The course, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is in quite beautiful condition, the best members have ever seen.

Over £1m has been spent and staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly in preparation.

"It has been an immense effort," says proud club captain Phil Cain.

"I can't tell you how many hours have gone in. The golf course is in the most unbelievable condition. It is seriously in Open Championship condition. It is in the same condition you'd see if you went to Royal Troon, it's that good."

It was at Troon that Dan Brown starred. The 29-year-old led after the first round and stayed in contention throughout, securing a top-10 finish and a return to next year's Open on the final day, when he was paired with Scheffler, the world's best player.

For Ben, caddying for his older brother, it was a bonkers but inspirational week.

"It was a bit mental really, especially the last two days," says the Romanby member who won the English Amateur in dramatic fashion last year when he chipped in from 20 yards in a play-off.

"Dan hasn't played in front of a crowd that big before so it was a different experience for both of us. It's hard to describe."

(Image: Newsquest)

Ben, who now plans to caddy for Dan for the rest of the season after this the conclusion of this week's Amateur added: "Being in the final group and walking to the first tee on the Saturday was pretty mad. He (Scheffler) was pretty chatty and you forget he's world number one, he's just a normal bloke. His short game was so good and the way he hits it, but links golf can be a bit of a leveller."

Seaton and Hartlepool will certainly put the best amateurs to the test this week.

The players will take on two rounds of strokeplay - the first at Seaton on Tuesday and the second at Hartlepool on Wednesday, with the field then whittled down to 64 men and 32 women who will advance to the matchplay stages from Thursday, with four days of competition at Seaton coming to a close on Sunday.

There aren't many teeing it up who'll know Seaton better than Alex Shaw, for he's the club manager and a member for more than 25 years. Preparation, though, has been limited, for he didn't discover he was in the field until three days before the first tee off.

"I was on the reserve list so it's been a waiting game," says Shaw.

"I got the call Saturday night to say I was in, so there's a lot less time to prepare. But I obviously know the place. it's more just getting used to what the ball is doing on the ground. The course is in superb condition.

"I've never seen it in better condition. I've been a member 26 years, have seen a couple of major tournaments, and have never seen it as good as this."

Club captain Cain added: "The tournament director here went out to mark some areas that possibly weren't in the best condition, you get that on links courses...he didn't mark one area. I think that says it all."

Cain himself played in the English Amateur back in 1991.

"I remember playing in the tournament against a guy called Paul Page, who played in the Walker Cup, great player," he recalls.

"Famously he beat Tiger Woods, so that's my claim to fame! It was a wonderful experience and it will be the same this year for all concerned, I'm sure.

"Everyone here at Seaton has worked so hard. We've got here, we have the course and clubhouse in the best condition, now we want to enjoy it and fully embrace it."