THREE talented County Durham golfers might just be following in the footsteps of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods after triumphing in a regional Bridgestone competition.

Stephen Parker, Ray Pipe and Ken Fisher made it through Bridgestone Amateur Golf Championship’s regional event at Rockliffe Hall and are just one round away from a trip to the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, in August.

The event was among six organised in April and May and the three move on to the final at The Belfry, where the winner will be jetting across the Atlantic to watch the World Golf Championship tournament at Firestone Country Club, which was won by McIlroy in 2014.

Parker, a Rockliffe Hall member, booked his place at The Belfry with a net score of 67 off his 16 handicap. He said: “I am really proud to have qualified for this event at the Belfry. To come through a field of quality golfers, in gale force winds around a tough course, was extremely pleasing. I can't wait to compete for Bridgestone's grand prize.”

Pipe, also a member of Rockliffe, scored a net 65 off his 13 handicap. He said: “I am obviously very pleased to have got through to the finals for the chance to play at The Belfry. It was really testing conditions on the day but I knew I had to keep going and keep focused until the end. I am very much looking forward to playing in the final.”

And 12-handicapper Fisher, from Newcastle, was invited to take part in the visitor event and was similarly thrilled to progress with 35 points under the Stableford system.

He said: “I was very pleased to get through. It was a very tough course and I didn’t play my best. I am very excited to be playing at The Belfry. It is a championship course and everybody raves about playing there. It is going to be a wonderful experience.”

DARLINGTON’S Ella Crang is one of 23 youngsters head to the final of the Abraham Trophy to find the most improved girl golfer in the country.

They have all qualified on the basis of handicap reduction and they will play off in the 18-hole final at Royal Cromer in Norfolk on Sunday, July 26.

The field is made up of eight area winners plus the next best 12 players and ties. Crag will represent Durham while Christina Rumbelow, of Easingwold, will be competing for Yorkshire.