THE first-ever scratch golf player to play at a County Durham golf course says he has no intention of becoming a professional.

John Howarth, 23, of Crook, says: “I just enjoy playing. Everyone’s been asking me if I’m ‘turning pro’ but I’ve no interest for it. I just go to work and play on a weekend.”

Mr Howarth, a ware-house team leader and a member of Crook Golf Club, near Crook in County Durham, is the club’s first ever scratch player.

And that’s no mean feat as the club was established 96 years ago.

Golf players can choose to have a ‘handicap’, a rating which is calculated from their performance in competitions, with ‘scratch’ being the best you can get.

Mr Howarth achieved the ranking when he took 69 shots to finish at the Durham County Golf Team Qualifier held at Garesfield Golf Club, west of Newcastle, earlier this month.

The keen amateur golfer is also his club’s course record holder with a personal best of 6 under par, which he achieved when he took 64 shots to finish in October last year.

But he is adamant that a professional career is not on the cards, even if he has been playing since he was 13.

He said: “If you ‘go pro’ there’s a little bit of pressure on you. I prefer just playing with my mates.”

The modest player lives less than 500 yards from the course and admits he spends most of his spare time at the club.

And he would argue with anyone who says golf is a dull game.

“I enjoy the challenge – and it’s different every day,” he said. “Practice is the thing. Practice makes perfect.”