Young Hartlepool golfer Ryan Dixon to take part in prestigious NCAA National Championship in America

The 19-year-old will compete in the NCAA National Championship, at the RTJ Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The teenager will be part of St Mary’s University in San Antonio golf team, the St Mary’s Rattlers.

Ryan Dixon and The Rattlers with their trophy

Ryan and his team-mates qualified by winning the regional final in Amarillo Texas and now the youngster is aiming to do likewise in the final.

Ryan said: “This was a great tournament for us.

“It was a stepping stone in the right direction for us to achieve our season goal of winning the national championship.

“The encouragement and support back home from family and friends is amazing and I am extremely grateful for this once in a lifetime experience.”

Following his scholarship award to St Mary’s University in Texas in August last year, Blackhall Colliery resident and Castle Eden player Ryan has certainly acclimatised well to his new home.

Ryan ventured off to St Mary’s to study for four years toward a degree in Mechanical Engineering and also to compete on the US college golf circuit.

Playing in the university’s five-man team, Ryan travelled with his team-mates of the St Mary’s Rattlers to compete in the final of the NCAA Regional Championship Trophy in Amarillo.

With the team well poised to make a run at the regional title, Ryan dominated the second round at La Paloma GC, closing with three straight birdies, for a three under par finish, the best round of the day.

Already a regular on the University Team, freshman Ryan played some outstanding golf over the La Paloma course.

Helping to power this talented team toward their first regional championship win in the University’s history, his steely contribution has also bolstered St Mary’s advance to national success.

“I’m so proud of the guys this week,” team coach Kearney said.

“We set some very ambitious goals at the beginning of this season, and getting to the NCAA National Championship allows us to tick off another one of those boxes.

“We have a very young and hungry group, and it has been wonderful to watch their growth and development throughout the season.”

The NCAA National Championship, takes place on May 22-25, at the RTJ Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

We wish him the best of luck. “Go Rattlers!”