Skipton’s blind golfer Malcolm Elrick has retained his European title in impressive style.

The 59-year-old finished an impressive 16 shots clear of the field in Milan last week.

Elrick, playing off a handicap of 26, returned gross scores of 100 and 91 as he lifted the title for the third time.

And after playing in a celebrity tournament organised by BBC TV commentator Peter Alliss, at Hindhead in Surrey, Elrick will head off to America next week.

He has been selected to play for the Rest of the World against the United States in the inaugural Ressmeyer Vision Cup World Matchplay Championship at Green Island Country Club in Georgia.

Elrick, who will be guided by his partner Sandie Shaw in a tournament due to be played to a Ryder Cup format said: “This is a huge honour as I am rated one of the top B2 golfers in the world.”

Elrick, who recently had his club handicap cut by three shots to 20 after a competition win, will play off 26 in America as the organisers use a different system of handicapping.

He said: “I was really pleased with how I played in Milan and I hope to do well in America.

“My big aim is to play in next year’s World Championships in Australia. I truly believe I can win, but first I need to get the funding to pay for the travel costs.

“I believe I have a really good chance of becoming world champion.”