After being selected as one of the twelve young KwaZulu-Natal golfers to join KZN Golf’s High Performance Programme, Harry Clayton hopes to use this opportunity to take his game to the next level.
The Programme that has been set up by KZN Golf will see some of the province’s most talented junior golfers take part in a number of camps ahead of the final selection for the team to take part in the National IPT at the end of the year.
Clifton College’s Clayton is the youngest member of the training group at 14 years old, but the youngster is hoping to be on that team come selection time.
“It would be a privilege to be selected for the IPT team this year and represent KZN at the National Tournament,” Clayton said.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and to be a part of the squad and I look forward to learning as much as I can to progress as far as possible in the game.”
The training group will be under the guidance of Emile Steinmann at the Mount Edgecombe Driving Range as they gear up for the national competition in Gqeberha.
For Clayton there are some clear goals that he is out to achieve and after a close shave in a competition in January, he is going to use the programme to work towards his goals.
“My ultimate goal at the moment is to be ranked in the top three juniors in the country,” he mentioned.
“I’m playing good golf and feel that being a part of this programme can only help me improve.
“A standout for me this year was being in contention going into the final day of the Nomads SA U/15 Championships at Waterkloof Golf Club, and ultimately coming second.”
Golf runs in the family for Clayton, and he has been around the game since his early years at Simbithi.
“I got into golf by watching my dad practice in the garden and then when he and my grandpa played on family holidays.
“I started joining my dad for short rounds when I was four. My earliest memory was swinging my dad's clubs that were too big for me at my home course in Simbithi.”
When talking about players that he looks up to, Clayton couldn’t look past the mercurial Jordan Spieth as his golfing role-model.
“Jordan is the golfer that I look up to because of the way he lives his Christian values and the grit and determination he shows on the golf course that has led to much success,” the young talent added.