LEE Dobson, a former Academy of Light centre-back, and Abbi Wheatley, a 13-year-old playing her first season of competitive golf, teamed up to win the Inter County Junior Mixed Foursomes for South Moor.

They coped well with tricky conditions on a windy day at Ryton to sign for a nett 72, level par and one stroke ahead of the runners-up, Beamish Park pair Tom Skelton and Alex Stevenson.

The 21-year-old Dobson, a ten-handicapper in his third season of golf, has not kicked a football since falling out of love with his old sport a year ago.

Two seasons ago he started playing golf competitively with a handicap of 25, got down to ten the same year and has won three junior and five men’s club competitions

A housing officer in Stanley with Derwentside Homes, Dobson, South Moor’s junior captain, lives in Catchgate,

He said: “What I love about golf is the challenge and that however many bad shots you play, you always play one that makes you want to come back for more.”

Abbi, who lives near the golf club in Craghead, Stanley, is a pupil at Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston. Her debut season has also brought victories in Durham County’s Junior Spring Meeting at Seaton Carew in Hartlepool and a Billingham Junior Open.

It is a credit to golf that the handicap system - Abbi has already improved from 40 to 28 this season - has enabled her to become a county winner in her first year competing on full courses.

She was only 16 days past her 13th birthday when she triumphed at Ryton, having begun as a ten-year-old on South Moor’s famous seven-hole starters’ course for youngsters.

Parents or guardians of any boys or girls aged three to 12 can book in their youngsters to have a go at golf in weekly Wednesday evening sessions at South Moor.

Plastic clubs are used for the junior beginners’ fun nights (6-7pm, cost £2). Phone either of the club’s PGA professionals, Shaun Cowell or Mark Ridley, on 01207 283525.