Steve Bottomley, the man who came within a few shots of winning the Open Championship, will be offering complete beginners his expertise this year.

Last year's Bradford Open winner is to take over coaching duties from his brother Ian at Fardew's nine-hole course near East Morton.

The 36-year-old will still be active on the Euro Tour and Northern PGA circuits, but is also helping set up a new teaching academy.

A weekend of golf events will mark the opening of the academy next Friday (Apr 20) with golf clinics and tuition plus question and answers sessions. All golf equipment and balls will be supplied free.

Fardew are aiming to attract novices to the game and Ian Bottomley said: "We want to make golf more accessible to more people. So many are put off the game by the cost or feel intimidated by golf courses.

"We will be offering a chance to learn the game to anyone, whether they have equipment or not, and will be a stepping stone towards joining a more prestigious club."

Ian, who is in his third season at the club, added: "For more established golfers lessons will be with proper golf balls - not range balls - and you hit from the cut grass - not mats.

"This will give people the chance to get a proper feel for the ball. Often people are put off when they change from playing on mats to grass because it is so different."

There have been several improvements at the pay-and-play Fardew course, which is owned by David Heaton, including opening a caf, appropriately named Sand Wedges.

Steve Bottomley, who finished third in the 1995 Open at St Andrews won by American John Daly, returned to take part in last year's Bradford Open for the first time at his home club Shipley and was a convincing winner from Keighley's Phil Wood.

Anyone who wants to book a lesson or tee-time at Fardew should ring 01274 561229.