Many dedicated players go through their life without having managing a hole in one, some even wait decades to achieve that magical landmark… however some ‘tick that particular box’ at the start of their golfing journey.
That was certainly the case for Aberdeen-based Harry Mawhinney earlier this month. Just a few days after turning eight, he holed his tee shot at the stroke index one eighth on the par three course at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, where he is a member.
Playing with mum Judith on the Devenick nine-holer, the talented youngster nailed his new driver 160 yards to the front of the green and the ball took one bounce before rolling straight in.
‘It was all a bit surreal,” said Judith. “You are never quite sure it has gone in and we couldn’t get on the green quick enough. It was quite unbelievable.”
Harry, who has been playing since the age of four and is already on his third set of clubs, has just started playing competitive golf and in the last four weeks has won both ‘flag’ competitions he has entered.
Abbyeydale duo pull off remarkable back-to-back hole-in-ones
Flag tournaments are a great way of introducing youngsters to the sport. Each are given a a little flag and, once they have played their 36th shot, plant it where the ball has finished. The competitor who has got the furthest is the winner.
Making his debut at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre last month in an U-10s event, Harry got all the way to the ninth to win.
Then a couple of weeks later he travelled to Carnoustie for the opening U-12s qualifier in the Scottish Golf Junior Flag Championship. On the Buddon course, playing off modified tees – holes are typically around 140-160 yards in length – Harry again reached the ninth to come out on top and he will now be part of the four-strong ‘Carnoustie Craws’ team at the ‘Home of Golf’.
The second qualifying stage takes place on the Balgove course at St Andrews on July 22nd with the Grand Final being held at Gleneagles (August 22nd).
Having just broken up from school for the summer, Harry’s parents Robin and Judith will be taking him to a few more flag events and the rest of Scotland’s wee wonders need to watch out!