SOME of Europe's best young golfers will stride the fairways at Fulford Golf Club after the board accepted an invitation from England Golf to host the Carris Trophy in 2018.

Another feather in the cap of a course that held a European Tour event for many decades and, most recently, staged the Ladies European Team Championships two years ago, the tournament has been won by some of the game's greats.

Two-time Major champion Sandy Lyle (1975), Ryder Cup veteran Peter Baker, both Fulford members courtesy of their Benson and Hedges International Trophy wins at the Heslington course, along with long-time club stalwart Jonathan Plaxton (1978) have all claimed top honours in the competition, known officially as the English Boys Under-18 Open Amateur Stroke Play.

Other high profile victors, who have gone on to play at the highest level, include 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose and BBC television commentator Ken Brown.

Fulford general manager Gary Pearce said the award of the tournament, which is being played this week at Little Aston Golf Club, had already motivated a number of the club's younger members, even though it is still three years away.

"This is a fantastic event," he said. "England Golf, when they hosted the Ladies European Team Championships, saw how well that went and how well that was supported - that was the biggest supported event they have ever run with the numbers that came and watched - and said they would offer us another event.

"The first was the north region qualifier for the Brabazon Trophy and now we have the Carris Trophy, which is a great tournament. It will be a four-day event, run like a professional tournament. A lot of great players have won the Carris and there will be some fantastic low handicap golfers here."

Pearce added: "The Carris fits in with the club's mission to promote and support junior golf initiatives. Fulford Golf Club has always had an excellent junior section, which encourages golfers of all ages and abilities, currently led by Andy Robson.

"Some excellent players have come through the ranks over the years including Damon Coulson, George Forder, Jamie Miller, Will Pepper, Sam Wilkinson, Rob Moore and, more recently, James Cass, Matty Roberts, Charlie Thornton and Matty Heels.

"Younger juniors like Tom Kelly and George Robson will be sharpening their game for the next three years in preparation for the Carris and it will be interesting to see how they get on."