David Harris - making it in America

David Morgan - Tuesday, 22 June, 2004

In 2002 a new face appeared in the ranks of Warwickshire Junior golf. His name was David Harris and he played some great golf for the County and in the Union Championships during that year. David became part of Warwickshire golf through moving back to the region with his father's work and pre 2002, he had been a big part of Junior golf in Europe - he came back here already a good golfer. Last year was spent on the Amateur circuit until August 2003 when he crossed 'the pond' to sample US College golf - this is the story since then.

David goes to Pfeiffer College, in Charlotte North Carolina. Its not all playing golf - academic standards are much higher than they were in the 80s when US colleges first looked, in earnest, for golfing talent from outside the US. David studies Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, although the way his course is organised he may change before he graduates.

There is lots of golf though and David has been part of the team on 12 out of the 16 championships that Pfeiffer has entered and he has been in the US equivalent of our 6s on four out of five occasions (The US 6s are 3 to 4 rounds). All this has produced a stroke average of 74.8 on courses which average around 7 3000 yards in length.

'Before Christmas we were ranked No 7 in the US', said David, 'In the New Year the team chopped and changed a bit and we lost some form.

'We had four 2nd places and two 3rds and my best (on a personal / individual basis) was a 3rd with rounds of 73 and 67 - I have had loads of Top 10s and Top 15s. You need 68s and 67s to win.'

It wasn't the best Warwickshire Amateur Championship for any of our players who are finishing their education in America. David was probably the best of these players - how did he view his return?

'In the 1st round I did well to keep it together. Round should have been better - maybe a 67 or a 68. I have qualified for the Warwickshire Open but I won't play as I have to be back for the 15th of August, firstly for qualifying for 2-3 weeks and the Tournaments begin in September - the first one is at Kiawah.'

So what is it like actually at College?

'I live on campus in dorms - the rest of the lads (in the golf team) are all on the same hallway.

'Our coach is from new York. His name is Jim Haughey and we have classes from 8 till 12, maybe 1pm, then we go out and practice. There are 3 to 4 team sessions a week.'

What about socialising and David's plans for this summer?

'My girlfriend is coming over on 27th July and through the Summer I want to play all the Midland Order of Merits events, the Midland Open and the Youths, and the English Amateur. My handicap is still 0.6 (David cannot bring his US results back here) so that needs to come down a bit.'

Its one year down and three more to come before David considers his golfing future after his University career - look out for some good results this year and maybe next year he could be right up there. He is part of team Warwickshire so expect to see him playing for our teams through the Summer of 2004 as well.

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