THE new director of golf at Close House, ex-Gleneagles boss Russell Smith, yesterday announced the launch of the Lee Westwood Golf Academy, the only one of its kind in the North East, Cumbria and Scotland.

The range of coaching facilities at Close House – owner Graham Wylie has invested £10m in golf over the past five years – has led to the club being chosen as the Tyne & Wear venue for the Westwood coaching sessions.

The programme has been drawn up to a basic blueprint advised by the world’s No 2 golfer (pictured right), who is the club’s Attached Tour Professional.

The three-day sessions will be held at eight English venues on July 25-27 stretching down to Kent, six of them in the North and Midlands and two in the South.

Nottinghamshire-based Westwood will be flown around the venues by helicopter, touching down at each one in turn to spend two hours with each set of youngsters.

Close House can cater for 70 boys and girls aged six to 17 at the July academy, which will include skills contests offering the overall winner a day’s golf with Westwood at Lindrick. The winning boy or girl at Close House will join the winners from the seven other venues.

Smith, who in 2004 was chosen as one of the UK’s top 25 coaches by Golf Monthly magazine, said: “This academy is open to all youngsters whether they are a beginner or an elite player.

“They will be grouped by age and ability to make sure they get the coaching which is right for them. They will all be given a handbook containing Lee Westwood’s key tips, and be guided in the sessions by our own top level coaches. They will given feedback to take back to their own clubs.”

The concept went down well with a Ponteland High School student, Grace Powell. She is one of 30 girls currently enjoying a series of lessons with Close House coach, Sally Hinton, who took the sport into 15 North East schools last year.

Grace, 15, who lives in Darras Hall, is the daughter of former Close House member Gary Powell, a manager working in the finance industry in Asia.

“I started having a go at golf because I wanted some quality time with my dad when he is back home,” she said. “I am really enjoying the sport and I’m getting the bug. I am going to ask my dad when he is back home if I can go on this course.”

Westwood’s academy at Close House will be run in partnership with The Co-operative and Activate Sport. He said: “I am very proud of my academy and the opportunity it presents for young golfers, it all about learning about the game while having fun.

“I hope hundreds more young people will engage with the sport that I love so much at the various venues, and get the same enjoyment that I have had out of this great game”.

Director of Golf Smith, who started at Close House last week, added: “Having Lee Westwood, one of the best players in the world on board in his ambassadorial role is very exciting and a great coup for the North East.

“Both myself and the entire team at Close House are fully committed to supporting this great event and wonderful opportunity for the young, aspiring golfers. Wouldn’t it be great to find the next Lee Westwood at Close House?”

John Glendinning, the Close House General Manager, said: “We need academies like this to encourage young people to get into golf and for those who are already interested, it’s all about improving their game and skills. This is also an opportunity for our own golf pros to improve their skills from a world class player”.

The head teaching professional at Close House, Jonathan Lupton, will re-start his Journal golf advice column on Thursday April 5, the first day of the US Masters.

THE three-day Lee Westwood Golf Academy costs £150. Parents should visit www.leewestwoodgolfacademy.co.uk and click on “venues”.

The Westwood academy also runs five-day courses for youngsters at La Manga.