LOTHIANS teenager Neil Henderson will tee off the new golfing season later this month with the deserved tag of "Scotland's most improved amateur".
Two years ago, the North Berwick youngster was playing off a handicap of four and was well off the radar as far as the international scene was concerned. Now, following a spectacular 24 months, he's down to plus 2.4 and has a full Scotland cap as a p
ossible target in 2008.
"The last couple of years have been pretty good for me," admitted Henderson, whose home club is The Glen. "I'm delighted with the progress I'm making."
Coached by Colin Brooks up at the Braid Hills Golf Centre, Henderson hardly put a foot wrong on the junior circuit last season.
"It was an awesome year and certainly exceeded my expectations," he said. "My aim was to make the team for the Boys' Home Internationals but I actually got into the six-man side for the European Boys' Team Championship. I also finished second in the Scottish Junior Order of Merit before signing off the season by winning the Scottish Junior Champion of Champions."
In a real eye-catching performance, he also earned a place in final qualifying for last year's Open Championship at Carnoustie but had to skip that due to international commitments. "I'll be giving The Open another go this year and won't mind if my regional qualifier is back at Musselburgh or down at Goswick as I'm a member at Goswick and have played for their men's league team."
Having already made his mark in junior circles, Henderson, who starts his season in the Portuguese Amateur Championship alongside some Lothians colleagues later in the month, is aiming to step up a level this year.
"I'm hoping to get into all the main amateur events this year, the likes of the Amateur Championship, Lytham Trophy and Brabazon Trophy, for example," he said. "Those type of tournaments are a good way to test yourself and, so far, the only men's amateur event I've played in was the South East District Open at West Linton last year." After returning from the Iberian Peninsula – he's also hoping to get in to the Spanish Amateur Championship – Henderson will jet across the Atlantic to visit the college he's due to join after the summer.
"I've got a scholarship at the Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and I'm really excited about that," said the 18-year-old. "It has a nine-hole course that is only three years old yet has already won some awards. The facilities are excellent and include a double-tiered heated driving range.
"I'm going there for four years starting in August and, as well as the golf side, I'm looking forward to getting a good degree behind me."
Whether he'll need that degree remains to be seen because, based on the past couple of years, Henderson certainly has the ability to climb high up the golfing ladder.
