Jack's US debut

Oct 9 2008 by Golf North East

IT'S not that many young golfers who get the chance to represent their country in a top-flight global tournament in the US.

But that's exactly what 12-year-old Jack Hermeston has achieved as a result of his success in the 2007 HSBC Wee Wonders Tournament.

Jack has just returned from the prestigious Pinehurst golf resort in North Carolina where he was part of the United Kingdom & Ireland team at the World Junior Championships.

With 145 of the best juniors from all over the world taking part in his age group, the Newcastle United Golf Club lad finished in 58th place overall with gross scores of 80, 75 and 81.

On the international leaderboard, his three-round total of 236 put him in 15th place.

Jack's dad Dave told Golf North East: "Jack performed exceptionally well under the circumstances. He had to play all of his rounds during the hottest part of the day in temperatures between 90 and 95F and with the humidity to go with it. I can verify that it was really tough as I had the honour of being his caddie."

Dave added: "The courses are so different with many of the greens being raised up; if you did not land the ball in the correct place on the green it would run away and finish 10 to 20 yards away.

"The putting surfaces were very fast and some of the breaks had to be seen to be believed - in my opinion this made the difference in the scoring for Jack. From tee to green Jack was a match if not better than his playing partners over the three days.

"The event itself was run just like a pro tournament with the practice and club facilities first class. And the opening ceremony had to be seen to be believed with an Olympic-style parade of all the players marching behind their country's flags through the village - over a thousand kids took part from all of the age groups."

Dave concluded: "The main thing is that Jack thoroughly enjoyed it and his attitude and commitment to the tournament was exceptional. The main aim now is to build on this experience and over the coming months, with the help of his coach, Jack can work on his game and achieve the very high standards that he sets for himself."

Jack won his trip to the US after coming through a series of Wee Wonders events, from initial qualifying at Matfen Hall to the regional final at Leeds Golf Centre. Although he finished in 5th place - with just one youngster from each age group selected for the World Junior Championships - Jack was offered the place.

The Hermeston family would like to thank everybody for their support and generosity in helping to fund the cost of the trip to America in particular Matfen Hall Golf Club, Newcastle United Golf Club and the Sport Newcastle Foundation.