Wilson’s the par-fect example of a winner!
James in the swing after year of success GOLF
JAMES Wilson is already proving a driving force in golf - and his longterm aim is to be on a par with with the sport’s very best, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 18-year-old from Newcastle has enjoyed a solid year of success, including victory in the Durham County Junior Strokeplay Championship with the lowest aggregate total in the competition’s history.
He was also runner-up in the Durham Senior Strokeplay Championship as well as triumphing in his home club Tyneside GC’s Men’s Championship.
Wilson, who plays for Close House GC, also represented Durham against five other county teams in the annual Big Six competition.
Those successes further illustrated the excellent progress of the teenager, who was the Northumberland junior and men’s champion in 2016.
Wilson also finished second in the North of England Under-18 Youth Championship that year and has represented England in a youth international against Wales.
Now he hopes to build on that success in a busy round of tournaments in 2018 - and turn professional further down the line.
Wilson said: “I did not play much in the first six months of this year because I was revising hard for my A-Levels.
“Once they were out of the way I have practised every day, played a lot of tournaments and I have been pleased with how things have gone.
“I am hoping to play a lot more next year and if I can gain some funding to help me with that that would be fantastic.
“Two or three years from now I would like to turn professional. That has always been my dream.
“I want to give it a go and the thought of playing at the very top is something which really excites me.”
The youngster comes from a a golf-playing family - his dad is also member at Tyneside.
Wilson added: “I used to play once a month with my dad when I was little.
“He enrolled me one day on a coaching camp at Close House, I really enjoyed it and things just went from there.”
Wilson was honoured earlier this year as one of Sport Newcastle’s Rising Stars of Sport Award winners.
He said of the Civic Centre occasion: “It was a great thrill and I really enjoyed the night.
“One of my teachers nominated me but I had no idea I was in the running for it.”
Tyneside GC’s senior men’s captain Bill Aitchison is not surprised at Wilson’s progress.
He said: “James has been playing league golf for us for four or five years.
“He forced his way into our team when he was only 13 or 14 and even at that young age you could see his potential,. His putting in particular was out of this world.
“James is a very grounded individual.
“His attitude is always spot on and his temperament phenomenal.
“The success he has had so far in winning county titles is impressive but whether that will take him to where he wants to be in the game only time will tell.”
ANYONE interested in backing Wilson can ring him on 07739 531 061 or e-mail him at jameswilson@ icloud.com.