TWO young North-East golfers are celebrating call-ups for their country.

As well As Hartlepool Golf Club’s Jack Ainscough being named in the England team to play in the Italian Under-16s’ boys championship, Tyneside’s James Wilson has also been picked to play against Wales for the U16s.

Ainscough, who will also figure in that fixture, has had a remarkable 2015 and it has got even better after it was officially confirmed he will be heading for Italy next month.

The Dyke House College student was named along with three other teenagers to play at Biella Golf Club. Ainscough, the Shotton youngster pictured by Leaderboard Photography, is involved along with Barclay Brown and Alex Fitzpatrick of Yorkshire plus Northamptonshire's Benjamin Jones.

The 16-year-old's latest boost comes on the back of a year in which he has already had two top ten finishes in the English Under-16s boys’ championship for the McGregor Trophy and in the Scottish Under-16s.

When he heads for Italy he will be gearing himself up for 72 holes of extremely tough golf against some of the world's most gifted young golfers; with a cut to the leading 40 players and ties after 36 holes.

CROOK’S Alan Brack has won the Durham Golf Union Second Division Championship.

Six-handicapper Brack posted a gross 73 to edge out Durham City’s David Dickinson by one shot, while Brian Shotton (South Shields), Alan Sanders (Wearside), A Charlton (Tyneside) and David Tate (Boldon) were a shot further back.

Nine-handicappers Shotton and Charlton recorded the best net scores along with Hobson’s very own nine-handicapper Steve Hetherington.

A NORTH-EAST hotel and golf resort is on course for a record breaking year after investing in a second 18-hole championship golf course.

Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, Durham, has seen a 200 per cent increase in bookings of golf breaks since it opened its new Cathedral Course in September last year.

The hotel and golf club opened the 7,200 yard championship course on former farmland overlooking the historic University city of Durham.

Tim Boyd, general manager Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, said: “Ramside play-and-stay golf breaks have always been popular with guests but the new golf course has exceeded our expectations in its ability to attract new customers and we look set to have our best-year ever for this area of the business.”

A BURNOPFIELD golfer is the latest to have claimed a BOSS watch after hitting a hole-in-one.

Keith Chipchase, 58, eight-handicapper scored his ace on the 179-yard, par-three 13th at Hobson Golf Club. No extra registration is required to participate in the BOSS Watches promotion as all official club competitions are recorded on the HowDidiDo system.