Ace amateur golfer Simon Dyson has scooped a major honour from the club where it all began.

The 20-year-old Dyson, who has been drafted into Great Britain's Walker Cup squad for next year, has been made an honorary life member of Malton and Norton Golf Club.

The prestigious award has been granted by the club in recognition of Dyson's phenomenal achievements this season.

Besides being called up to the squad for possible Walker Cup service Dyson has been capped by both England and Great Britain in a rise that has taken him to number three in the national amateur rankings.

Only recently he signed off his sensational season by lifting the Moortown Masters championship with two scorching rounds of 68 to seal second place in the Yorkshire Order of Merit.

Added to that was a third place finish in the Brabazon Trophy, second in the St Andrews Links event, second in the West of England championships, joint top qualifier in the Yorkshire Amateur championship, and second in the Yorkshire strokeplay event.

And besides his inclusion in the 22-strong Walker Cup squad Dyson was named as first reserve for the Great Britain and Ireland team for the Eisenhower tournament.

Said Dyson: "I'm so thrilled by the honour from Malton and Norton. It's such a boost in what has been a very solid year.

"My golf has been so consistent and hopefully I can carry it on over the winter and into next year when I hope I can make the Walker Cup team."

Dyson, whose overall game has been improved by lessons from Sheffield-based Peter Cowan, who also coaches top professional Lee Westwood, is hoping to spend the next few months working before heading off for the sunshine of the United States to devote more time to practice.

It was as a youngster aged just six-years-old that Dyson first took up the game at Malton and Norton GC. Since then he has made astounding progress, which the life membership award duly acclaims.

Said Malton and Norton's managing secretary Eddie Harrison: "It's quite an infrequent award, but the club feels that it should recognise Simon's achievements in the world of amateur golf.

"He is in the Walker Cup squad and he is rated number three in the country. We feel they are achievements which should be honoured."

The last recipient of Malton and Norton life membership was Emma Duggleby in recognition of her capture of the national ladies' amateur title.

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