Meet the Champion: James Wilson

Jan 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Name: James Wilson
Age: 17
Occupation: Student
Club: Formby
Handicap: Scratch

Do you play other sports?

I used to play most sports, rugby, football, cricket. But not any more. Now I just concentrate on golf.

Where did you hit your first golf ball?

In the back garden at home in Formby. My parents had bought me a set of plastic golf clubs. I was two-years-old.

But my first memory was when I was about five and I was given a golf club and I knocked a plastic ball over the house.

I joined Formby Ladies when I was eight and Formby when I was 10. My dad and grandad are members of Formby and both are members of the R&A. Grandad is a past captain at Formby and past president of the EGU.

Are you a golf addict?

Yes. Big time. I am obsessed by it. My dream has always been about playing golf full-time.

I will do anything to get there. Golf takes over my life.

How often do you play?

Depending on the weather, pretty much every day. I am at Merchants Taylor and I have this arrangement to take two A-levels instead of the three which everyone else does. Doing two gives me the time to play golf.

Unless it is horrendous weather and I cannot stand up, I will be out at 9am and come home when it is dark.

What would improve your game?

General fitness. It is getting obvious I need to get stronger, both physically and mentally. Golf is tough mentally.

Greatest golf moment?

Finishing second with 76,71 in the English Boys Under-14s in 2004 at Kings Norton. Birmingham. My family were there watching.

Do you have a golf moment that comes back to haunt you?

I was in the Northern Boys Under-16 at Pannell, Yorkshire, two years ago and the weather was just horrendous. I shot 91 and I just wanted to go home. I stuck at it and shot 76 the second time.

Favourite golf course?

Formby and St Andrews.

Who have you most admired in golf?

Tiger Woods, for the way he is both on and off the course. He is very good the way he deals with the press. He does get a lot of hard questions to answer. Also Sergio Garcia, the way he is, flamboyant, out-going.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Enjoy it. Don’t give up. Keep going.

Tip from a club champion to a beginner?

Enjoy it. That is the important thing. If you enjoy it you will do well at it.

Do you have a golf dream?

To win the Open, with my family watching.