Junior Open's gone down a Storm for Graeme

Hartlepool's European Tour golfer Graeme Storm loved every minute of watching his first tournament as a host '“ and wants to do it again.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Apr 2016, 08:30 BST
Graeme Storm with the winners of the Graeme Storm Junior OpenGraeme Storm with the winners of the Graeme Storm Junior Open
Graeme Storm with the winners of the Graeme Storm Junior Open

Hundreds of people were at Hartlepool Golf Club yesterday to witness a field made up of boys and girls from across the country compete in the Graeme Storm Junior Open in association with Dyke House College.

The event, which saw young golfers win some fantastic prizes, raised £2,500 for the Finlay Cooper Fund.

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BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin BradyBBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin Brady
BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin Brady

Stockton’s Ben Brown, Matfen Hall’s Angus Buchanan and Houghton-le-Spring’s Rio Jones successfully won the three age categories as European Tour pro Storm and former Hartlepool United boss Colin Cooper looked on along with hundreds of spectators.

Storm said: “It was an unbelievable day. The weather could have ruined it, but everything has been superb, particularly the support from everyone who has come.

“Everything has run really well.

“We will do it again, 100 per cent. The standard of golf has been unbelievable, seen some great swings, real talent and the scoring has proved it.”

One of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi WheatleyOne of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi Wheatley
One of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi Wheatley

Cooper thanked Storm for choosing to raise money for the charity he set up 10 years ago following the death of his son.

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He said: “When you are a charity like we are, which is small and self-funding, every single penny that we receive goes straight out to the cause we support.

“Anything that was raised today, plus the kudos of Graeme wanting to use our charity, is brilliant.

“I have a lot of respect for him as a talented athlet – to team up with him for this is just an honour and privilege.

BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin BradyBBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin Brady
BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown interviews Seaton Carew golfer Jack Burton before he tees off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club. Picture by Kevin Brady

“Whatever the end figure happened to be, I would have been just delighted he chose us and the people who know the Finlay Cooper Fund will know we will put this straight into helping other children.

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“There have been some really talented boys and girls on show.”

Andrew Jordan, the executive principal of Dyke House College backing the event, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the patronage of the Graeme Storm Junior Open and pleased to see the phenomenal turnout from the young golfing talent of the north.”

The winners all won prizes donated by Druh Belts & Buckles, Taylormade and Rockliffe Hall.

One of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi WheatleyOne of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi Wheatley
One of the first to tee off in the Graeme Storm Junior Open at Hartlepool Golf Club was Charlotte Preece of Castle Eden Golf Club, watched by l-r Arthur Mullender (starter) Graeme Storm, Colin Cooper whos charity The Finlay Cooper Fund, was being suppported by the event, Tilly Burton and Abbi Wheatley

Winners at The Graeme Storm Junior Open

Age: 7-10s

Ben Brown (handicap 54) 33 stableford points (wins on countback)

Oliver Butts (54) 33pts

Adam Dews (41) 30pts

Age: 11-14s

Angus Buchanan (handicap 20) 50pts

Ben Robinson (33) 46pts (wins on countback)

Gabrielle Somerville-Smith (18) 46pts

Age: 15-18s

Rio Jones (9) 39pts (wins on countback)

Adam Stokle (21) 39pts

Jacob Brown (10) 38pts