HARRY Kell is the new captain of the Cheshire boys golf team and he is setting his sights high.
The Sandiway Golf Club 16-year-old, who plays off a handicap of -2, wants to continue the gathering momentum as he leads the county side.
“My upcoming hopes and ambitions are to drive the county boys team to successes in the Four Counties at Formby Golf Club and also the Little Six,” he said.
“I also want to be a key part in helping the men’s county team to win some silverware this year and beyond.”
Harry’s career highlights so far include succeeding in the Sandiway ‘Brunner Bowl’ men’s knockout last year from 120 entrants, making him the youngest ever winner in the club history.
And he is also the youngest person to win a Sandiway men’s board competition, at age 14.
Over the past 18 months he has played a major part and contribution to the successes of both the under 16s and under 18s boys.
He has been selected for the North West England Regional Squad for two years running, this year along with his fellow Cheshire boys teammates Lucas Kuiper, Ben Buchanan, Aaron Muhun, Cole Self and Lauren Beech while Dan Hayes has now been elevated to the National Squad.
Harry’s successful year with the county includes individually finishing joint third in the North Of England Under 16 tournament played at Pannal Golf where he was five under par gross after 72 holes and led for three rounds.
Harry was only pipped by an eagle, par, birdie finish which forced him to make birdie down the last to force a play-off.
He played in every boys Northern League match this year and made a major contribution to the county winning the inaugural trophy.
It all started on his 10th birthday when Harry was gifted membership of Sandiway Golf Club.
Eighteen months later he commenced his association and pathway with the Cheshire county programme, progressing through the age groups from under 12s.
Harry is a fourth-generation golfer, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather Harry Kell, grandfather Stuart and father Jonathan, but he also looks up to a Ryder Cup hero.
“My greatest inspiration is Tommy Fleetwood. I know Tommy and his family and fully appreciate how much hard work and dedication he has given to progress from a junior into a world-class professional,” said Harry.
A Cheshire Union of Golf statement said: “Harry displays all the characters that we desire from a county boys captain.
“He is considerate, respectful, competitive, thoughtful, organised, responsible and we look forward to him leading our very talented team of boys to victories next year and to carry on being a superb role model for the younger boys coming through the ranks.”
Harry concluded: “I would like to thank Graham Tonge as my swing coach since age of 11, Peter Barber and John Heggarty as professional coaches with Cheshire (covering all aspects), James Thompson and Rhys Ingram as strength and conditioning coaches, Ron Harrison the NW England regional golf manager, Andrew Henshall as Cheshire boys manager and give special thanks to Graham McCormack.
“All these have been a tremendous support in my journey so far.”
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