John Harrison continued his incredible winning record as a professional with victory in Brampton Golf Club’s pro am on the North East & North West PGA circuit.
Matfen Hall-based John, who turned pro in April 1977 at the age of 17, picked up the winner’s cheque following a four under-par round of 68 over the course he grew up at. With the win, he notched a 46th consecutive year of winning at least once on the circuit.
“I left it a bit late this year, but I’m happy to keep the record going another year,” said 62-year-old John. “I only realised I was on this run a couple of years ago, and while I’ve played well in the last couple of months, I’ve finished second or made a late mistake to miss out.
“I still love playing competitive golf across our region. We get a lot of opportunities to play thanks to the support the pro ams have at so many clubs, so I know I’ve always got a chance somewhere. Playing a lot of events, the ability to score never really leaves you, at least not for long, so a little bit of form always gives me a chance.
“Every win is a great feeling, no matter when or where it comes, though it was great to get it done at Brampton – a course I know so well and a pro am I’ve always loved being part of.”
John won his first event, a local PGA assistants’ tournament, in 1978 before going on to win in Manchester that year, making a hole-in-one on the 18th before beating Gordon Manson in a playoff to take home a total of £500 – 50 times his weekly wage at the time.
“There’s been good years and lean ones. Anybody playing the number of events we do is going to find it once or twice in a one-round sprint though. My love for competitive golf and the pro am experience has always been there, I don’t get bogged down if I play poorly, so I guess that has helped me keep it going.
“I’m looking forward to the final events of the season and then getting back out there in 2023 – let’s see if I can keep the record going another year.”
As we went to print, John earned a second win for 2022 on the NE/NW PGA circuit, leading the field in the Alnmouth pro am with a three under-par round of 68.
