As Sotheby's golf expert for over 20 years, David Neech knew how to spot something a little special.

Neech travelled the country valuing memorabilia but now he has put his talent spotting skills a different use.

The 63-year-old from Eastbourne, is one of four nationwide selectors for the English Golf Union, picking the most gifted golfers in the south east to play for the country's boy's team.

Neech used to follow the progress of his golf proteges in the small print of newspapers but now his star pupil is back in the headlines once more.

To date, his most successful find is Hampshire's Justin Rose who sprang to prominence as a 17-year-old amateur in the 1998 Open Championship at Birkdale, where he chipped in at the last to finish fourth.

The South African-born player with English parents turned pro the following day but missed the cut in his first 21 professional tournaments.

He failed to get his card at the qualifying school and retreated to the Challenge Tour before winning the right to play among the senior stars.

Rose's return to form has been as dramatic as his decline and last month he won the British Masters at Woburn, finishing on a 19-under-par 269 to become the youngest winner of the competition.

That win, his fourth of the year, complemented successes in the Dunhill Championship,The Crowns event in Japan and the Nashua Masters title on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.

Rose's golfing fortunes have intrigued many fans but Neech has paid particular attention. He said: "It is wonderful to see golfers like Justin starting to make a real impact on the professional tour. Almost every English pro with the exception of Tony Jacklin has been through the EGU.

"We choose about 100 boys for training in the country with eight or nine from Sussex and Kent. We have a look at them all and pick out the best 22 or 23 for the School of Excellence at Woodhall Spa.

"Golf coaching is the main part but we also cover fitness, diet and the mental side of golf."

Neech caught his first glimpse of Rose seven years ago. He said: "I think my first recollection of seeing Justin was at Worthing in the depths of winter.

"We got him some coaching with Steve Rolley there who is probably the best long game coach in the country.

"He was just unbelievable, he was a wonderful golfer and although he was only 13, he played off scratch.

"Justin was selected for the boy's team in 1995 but he was so good he got picked for things like the Walker Cup when he was still a boy and I didn't see as much of him as I might have done.

"He was a delight and his parents were delightful too. Justin is a clone of his parents and he has continued the family trait. He is extremely nice and level-headed which will stand him in good stead."

Neech, a member at Seaford East Blatchington GC, has followed Rose's progress keenly and he and his wife, Jenny, flew to Spain to watch his final qualifying round for the European Tour at the San Roque Club last year.

Since then Rose has confirmed the promise he illustrated so memorably at Birkdale. Victory at the British Masters has confirmed his place in the Open and in the World's top 50 .

Neech added: "The first thing my wife and I used to do if we didn't see the golf on TV was to look at the paper to see the scores. We used to start reading up from the bottom but now we start at the top.

"I think Justin will get better and better. After the ordeal he has come through I think he has proved how strong he is mentally.

"The majority of the credit has to go to his parents, particularly his father who has taught him for many years and is still his coach."

Rose's dad, Ken, is fighting cancer but Neech believes that will spur the player on.

Neech is working with the next generation of golfers, many of whom hope to gain a place on the European Tour.

One of his Sussex prospects to follow is Forest Row's Jack Budgen who has played for England Boy's under-16s.

If Budgen benefits from Neech's tutelage as much as Rose, we may soon be reading plenty more about him.