NOBODY expected a Spanish inquisition for first-year student Nicky Maddison when the teenage hotshot took up his sports scholarship at Northumbria University last September.

But in less than a year the computing undergraduate has emerged as the latest success story coming out of one of the country’s leading golf programmes.

June saw Maddison represent Great Britain in the World University Golf Championships, held at the Antequera course in Malaga, Spain.

And while the +1.5 handicapper was finding his way around the island greens news broke that he had been crowned Northumbria University’s Sportsman of the Year.

“It’s been a great first year at the university for Nicky,” admitted Northumbria’s head coach and Parklands mainstay Mark Watkin.

“He has exceeded all expectations and fully deserved his award. It was just a shame he was in Spain when the presentation was made but then that’s the price you pay for success!”

Maddison made the GB squad after his stunning come-from-behind victory in the 2010 BUCS Individual Championship, held at the Dundonald Links Golf Club.

The Northumbria and City of Newcastle youngster found himself seven shots down at one stage before clinching a three-shot win ahead of university teammate Ross Crowe.