IN the build up to next week’s Ryder Cup, Europe have already got one over their American counterparts with the help of a couple of County Durham golfers.

Darlington’s Darren Grey and Barnard Castle’s Steven Hutchinson helped secure Fightmaster Cup success, one-armed golf’s equivalent to next week’s showpiece at Gleneagles.

It was Hutchinson’s first appearance at the Fightmaster and he claimed 2.5 out of a possible three points to help Europe win 21-7 at Stirling to earn a third successive success over North America.

Grey said: “Steven took to it really well, it was great to see as he had a tight first day fourball where 50/60 people watched him come down the final fairway top earn a halve in the end.”

While Hutchinson was a rookie, Grey has been a regular and he used all of his experience to claim three out of his five points, including a narrow defeat in the singles.

Grey said: “It was great, everyone played well and had a good laugh and it all came together in the end. Considering the limited amount of time to play this year, I’m really happy with my points for the team.

“I couldn’t believe I lost my singles, I was one under through nine holes. Both points I lost were close run games. Hopefully (with being second in the world rankings) I should be in North America in two years time to do it all again.”

SEATON CAREW Golf Club claimed victory in the inaugural Clark Cup final, winning the competition for only the third time in their history and the first time since 2002, writes Michael Cantilon.

The final at Washington Golf and Country Club saw Seaton defeat Dinsdale Spa 3&2 in a tight affair with the two deciding games going down to the 19th hole.

Dinsdale had high hopes of success, having only won it once - 24 years ago in 1990 - and during a year of unexpected results in which defending champions Bishop Auckland were knocked out in the preliminary round; the winners from two of the previous three years Wynyard exited in the first round.

For the final, Seaton lined up with a five-man team of Hugh Hamilton, Ian Hendry, Jonathan Conley, Kris Diamond and Robert McGahan, as Dinsdale, captained by David Deboo, were represented by Bradley Dye, Neil Harker-Bell, Ian Pattison, Richie Parsons and Steve Musty.

Hendry said: “It went great for us in the end because we managed to be successful. The games were quite stretched so we didn’t really know how people were getting on. We just had to focus on our own games, and then it appeared we were doing pretty well until it came down to the last few games. We were comfortable and then we really weren’t so it was pretty close.”

Hendry, delighted with the outcome, admitted the final result could have gone either way, paying tribute to both sides’ resolve and character.

He said: “For our spectators it was looking comfortable, but towards the end it could have gone either way. The course was good and it was a good test. The tension was building and it was a nicer way to win it almost, as there was a lot of bottle shown from both teams in truth, as we had it and then we didn’t and then they had it but didn’t so it was unbelievable.”

ON THE yellow tees at Darlington, the County Fourth Division competition was won by Seaham’s Gary Jackson with 44 points, as Ineos’ J Daltry came in second with a score of 42 and Seaham’s Anthony Fildes finished up third with 41 points.

Durham Union secretary Graeme Hope confirmed that in the County Members salver finals, Mark Newton of Knotty Hill defeated David Horner to win the Spring Salver, whilst Shaun Woodward of Blackwell Grange defeated Consett’s John Pearson to win the Autumn Salver.