A TYNESIDE college is teeing up another sporting first with a new apprenticeship to equip talented teenagers with the skills required to become professional golfers.

Gateshead College is partnering with one of the region’s finest golf courses – Matfen Hall – in a move which sees it become the first North East college to offer a Golf Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme.

The programme was launched at Matfen Hall in November, where a number of Gateshead College’s Golf Academy students participated in a driving, chipping, pitching and putting skills master class under the expert eye of club head professional John Harrison.

The apprenticeship, which is backed by England Golf, will be open to gifted young players aged 16-19, including those already at the college’s Golf Academy.

The AASE programme provides a two-year structured training and development course which students can follow to enhance their chances of breaking into the professional ranks.

They will work towards an NVQ Level 3 Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance as well as a BTEC Certificate in Sport (Performance and Excellence).

Participants will be able to take advantage of the college’s modern training and conditioning facilities, while the link with Matfen Hall will open up access to one of the best courses in the region.

Expert tuition from top coaches and sports experts will help unlock the students’ potential.

And in a further move to cement the new partnership, the college will be hosting its college championship at Matfen Hall next June.

John Harrison said: “The new programme is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of young players to gain not only the professional but personal skills that will put them on the road to a career as a professional golfer and, who knows, maybe the next world number one.”