Luke has really caught
the eye in junior golf
Luke Harries hails from the sports-mad Harries family where he is following dad Spencer and big brother Jack, especially with regard to golf, where he has already travelled extensively to places like the USA.
He started to play golf when he was just four years old whilst watching Jack have lessons – he decided that was good for big brother was certainly good enough for him and seemed to have a natural talent from the outset.
‘Wee wonders’ winner
Within two years Luke won the HSBC ‘Wee Wonders’ area qualifier at Garnant Park before progressing to the Welsh Final in Celtic Manor, where he also played some excellent golf to lead the field of talented young golfers – and winning there took him to the National Final in St Andrews, Scotland.
Not content with earlier performances, Luke again showed not only his raw talent but ability to battle on under pressure at the world-famous course where coming top in his age group secured himself a place in ‘Wee Wonders’ team from Great Britain and Ireland where he played at Pinehurst, NC in the US Kids Golf World Championships. It was a great thrill, not only for Luke but for Jack and parents Spencer and Sue, who always give 100% support. The whole experience was a wonderful one and Luke came 21st out of a field of well over a hundred to show again that he has immense potential.
Back to the USA
Luke has since twice qualified for the US Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, NC, gaining 5th and 16th place respectively out of a field of one hundred-plus each time. He was also invited to play in the US Kids Golf European Championships in Gullane, Scotland, earlier this year where he came 11th to take his golfing experience another step along the road to success.
Meeting Monty
When he was seven, Luke and his GB & I team mates were invited to spend a days being coached and playing the course with Colin Montgomerie at Northwick Park, London. It proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience as the Ryder Cup veteran was very supportive and full of good advice which will serve Luke well in the future. The event was televised and this gave Luke his first TV interview, coping well in such a new situation!
Luke has been twice runner-up in the last two years in National Junior competitions and won various junior opens in the last two years. He is well coached by Robert Ryder and his current CONGU handicap is 26. He is kept very busy with his golf because as well as individual competitions he is a regular member of the Dyfed ‘Under 14’ golf squad.
Sporting all rounder
As well as being a member of South Pembs Golf Club and Tenby Golf Club, Luke played rugby for Pembroke RFC until this season but he has had to let it go to concentrate on his golf more. He still plays football as a talented midfielder for Hundleton under 10s, however, and was ‘Player of the Year’ in 2007/8. His performances there have also earned him membership of the Pembrokeshire County Football Academy.
Luke is currently out of action however as a fractured ankle during pre-season football training has forced him to take a bit of a rest so he can indulge his other leisure activities that include watching all sports, especially the WWE wrestling programmes on television. His sporting heroes are Tiger Woods, the top American golfer, and Fernando Torres of his favourite football team, Liverpool FC, plus Llanelli Scarlets in the oval ball game.
High hopes
Ask Luke about his ambitions and he would unhesitatingly say to be a professional golfer and there is no doubt that if he can maintain his current rate of progress, allied to his natural skill, commitment and willingness to absorb information and sound advice, then we should hear a great deal more of young Luke Harries in future years.
