Youngsters get the chance to experience the game at the top level
Dyke House golfers enjoyed a Dunhill dream with a taste of top-class European Tour action at the Home of Golf.
The eight students enrolled on the golf programme at Dyke House Sports and Technology College in Hartlepool were taken to St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns to watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
As well as playing some golf at nearby Strathmore and the Duke’s Course at St Andrews, the group walked two rounds with Hartlepool’s Graeme Storm – Dyke House’s golf consultant.
Danny Evans, director of the Elite Development Squad, said: “It was important for them to get a taste of European Tour golf and the standard of play. It was nice for them to see at close hand how difficult it is to keep concentration over a five and a half hour round when the pressure is on.
“They all enjoyed themselves. Socially as a group it was invaluable. On the evening they all played FIFA 17 in one room mixing together and it has made that group strong.”
Sixth form students Ben Bailey, Briony Bayles and Amy Sotheran have joined the scheme at college level, while Jack Burton and Louis Westmoreland have started at year 7.
While on the trip they each had tuition with Wynyard’s PGA pro Andrew Betts as well as having to complete their studies each day.
During the trip they also got to meet and have photographs with celebrities including Jamie Redknapp, Damon Hill, Bryan Mcfadden, DJ Spoony and Fabio Capello.
