Norfolk golfer Harry Thomas is all set to travel to Austria, Scotland and Slovakia in the biggest month so far of his blossoming career.
The Eaton Golf Club member, 16, has been called up to represent Wales Under-18s in the European Boys’ Team Championship at Diamond Country Club from July 9-13. He is a part of a six-man side in which each individual plays two rounds of stroke play golf before the tournament switches to a match play format for three days.
Thomas will then fly from Austria to Glasgow ahead of teeing up in the R&A Junior Open at Kilmarnock Golf Club. Countries from across the globe have nominated a boy and girl to compete in the 54-hole tournament for Under-16s from July 15-17. All participants have also been invited as guests to attend the first day of the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, scheduled for the end of the same week.
The Culford School pupil will have barely time to catch his breath before once again jetting off to make a further appearance for his country. From July 25-27 he will wear his Wales shirt in the European Young Masters at Penati Golf Resort in Slovakia where the continent’s best Under-16s golfers will fight it out over 54 holes.
Thomas said: “July is going to be a dream month! To be picked for the six-man Wales European Under-18s team is a real honour and something I had set my sights on over the winter, so to gain selection is a massive achievement.
“To then represent Wales at Under-16 level at both the R&A Junior Open and the European Young Masters is another great opportunity for me to test myself against the best players of my age in Europe and the World.”
Thomas has been juggling GCSEs with his golf commitments in the early part of the summer, but has already shown some strong form.
He finished runner-up to fellow teenager Ed Featherstone in the Norfolk Amateur Championship and took third spot in a high-quality junior event staged at Walton Heath in Surrey.
Thomas said: “Despite doing my GCSEs, I feel I have been playing well. I now have a bit of time to work hard at my game before the team meet up on July 5 at Celtic Manor.”
