One of the region’s most successful PGA professionals in recent years, and the two-time winner of the Northern Golfer Junior Champion of Champions, joins us for a round
James Wilson has built a solid reputation as a professional golfer since turning pro in 2022. Having taken up the game properly as a teenager, he built a strong amateur résumé before joining the professional ranks. A regular winner locally, he will complete his PGA training later this year and will be focusing his time on a combination of PGA events locally and nationally as well as the Tartan and Clutch pro tours, plus a handful of international events this season. Here’s more from our round…
How much golf do you get to play?
I try to play or practise at least one element of the game every day, either on the range or indoors at the Newcastle Golf Studio. During the core part of the season, I’ll tee it up competitively somewhere every week. It’s great that we have such a strong PGA circuit locally with the North East & North West PGA, and then I add on the mini tour events on the Tartan and Clutch pro tours.
How did you get into golf?
My dad played at Longhirst Hall and I’d go up there with him and have a go on the range every so often. I went on the course for the first time when I was nine, but things really kicked off when my auntie and uncle came over from Canada and got me into the coaching at Close House with Jonathan Lupton. He gave me some one-to-one coaching after that and it all built from there – playing junior golf, county events and team matches, and then going into the national amateur tournaments.
Which is your favourite course in the North East?
For scoring, I have to say Dunstanburgh Castle as I always do well there. I also love to play at Goswick as it’s awesome. I’ll also add in the Colt Course at Close House as I’ve got a lot of good memories there.
And further afield?
Visiting Loch Lomond is always very special – the hospitality and overall feel of the club is second to none. A bit further away, I could play Yas Links in Abu Dhabi every day and never get bored. The presentation and challenge are just perfect.
What’s your best score?
In a competitive round, I shot nine under-par at Crail to win the 72-hole Battle Trophy Open. It wasn’t as low, but my seven under-par round in the Scottish Men’s Open at Southerness, which set a new course record, was the best round I’ve ever played.
Which is your favourite golfing memory?
It’s one of my first memories of golf. I was in Kitimat in northwest British Columbia in Canada when I was 10 with my auntie, uncle and two cousins, and we played in a huge golf day with hundreds of other people. It was so relaxed with loads of fun games and challenges, and I remember loving every minute of it.
What about your most embarrassing moments on the course?
I think I’ve managed to block them all out! I’ve turned up with no golf shoes and no balls before, but nothing much worse than that – so far at least!
Do you have any golfing superstitions?
If I have a decent first round, I always use a ball with the same number on in round two.
What are your strengths on the course?
I’d say my driving – I’m relatively long and pretty accurate, and I think that travels well wherever you are in the world.
And your weaknesses?
Last year, I spent far too much time chasing aesthetics in my golf swing rather than performance. Working with my coaches, James Maw and Chris Kirkland, I’ve become a lot more performance focused this season.
Which is your favourite club in the bag?
My Titleist TSR2 driver.
Who is your best golfing friend?
I love to play NE/NW PGA events and there are so many good lads to tee it up with. If I had to pick one person, I’d say Gary Vickers. He oversaw my PGA training and was the professional at Tyneside until earlier this year when he moved to Silloth. He has helped me so much over the years and we’ve played a lot golf together too.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing golf?
I’ve got a degree in sports management from Northumbria University, so I’d probably be using that, though it’s hard to say anything specific as I’ve only ever worked in golf.
Who is your favourite golfer?
I think Bryson DeChambeau is an interesting guy and he has his own way of doing things.
Which golf event do you enjoy most?
Playing in overseas pro ams is great – the combination of a bit of competitive golf and being away with a good group of friends is always a lot of fun. If I was just watching, I’d say a close final round in one of the majors.
Who do you admire?
Brandon Robinson-Thompson, who won on the Challenge Tour for the second time last year and is now on the DP World Tour. He was on the EuroPro Tour the same year as me and to see him go through the different levels and be very competitive on the DP World Tour this season is awesome. It’s amazing how far you can go in this game in just a couple of years.
Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?
I’d have to choose my dad, auntie and uncle – and we’d play in Kitimat in Canada.
If you could have one mulligan, when would you have used it?
That’s an easy one! On the 11th at Fairmont St Andrews on the final day of the Asian Tour’s St Andrews Bay Championship in 2023, I flushed a seven-iron to a back right pin, pitched it eight yards too far and it bounced into knee-high rough at the back of the green. I had to take an unplayable and made a bogey, and it derailed me a bit too much. I’d club down, tap in for birdie and maintain the solo lead with six holes to play.
