DARLINGTON golfer Darren Grey narrowly missed out on lifting the 'claret jug' at the inaugural Disabled British Open in August as the winner of last year's Local Heroes Senior Award for Remarkable Achievement continues to go from strength to strength.
Despite being born with the lower half of his left arm missing, the 24-year-old has become one of the best one armed golfers in the world and he is dreaming of a place in the British Paralympics team at the London 2012 Olympics.
In the Disabled British Open, the largest and most inclusive golf event for disabled golfers in the UK, Grey came up just short of the eventual category two winner, Lancashire's Andrew McDonald.
Grey has benefited from extra coaching sessions with Darlington Haughton Grange Golf Club professional Craig Dilley to get his golf handicap down to 13 while improving his short game. He is now hoping that golf is accepted as an event at the London Olympics so that he can fulfill a lifelong ambition.
"I would be so proud if I could play for my country at the London Paralympics, that would be a dream come true, " said Grey who was one of 71 competitors at the Disabled Open that was held at Old Thorns Golf and Country Estate, Hampshire and broadcast on Sky TV.
"We are hoping that golf will be part of the 2012 Paralympics, it hasn't been accepted yet, but the organisers of the Open used the tournament to attract the attention of the Paralympic Committee."
In July's One-Armed Golfers' World Championships at the Royal St David's Golf Club in Wales, Grey made the last four.
He travelled to the Open confident of securing victory but admitted that he struggled to contend with the course.
"I went into the Open hoping to win so I'm a bit disappointed, but itwas a great experience.
"I'd worked really hard with Craig on my chipping and putting, but the greens were unbelievably fast. My driving always needs improvement, but I blame the clubs, " quipped Grey, who hopes to benefit from a new set of wedges supplied by (golfing equipment company) Cleveland.
"It can be so expensive to pay for equipment and travel to competitions, so for Cleveland to give me some free clubs and kit is a massive help."
Anyone interested in sponsoring or getting involved with fundraising events for Darren should call Darlington Golf Club on 01325-355324.