Club rivalry to spur on Harrington

Fred Harrington will hope a spot of friendly club rivalry can spur him onto success in the Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship qualifier at Purdis Heath.

Rochford Hundred assistant Harrington, a prolific amateur player who turned pro just two years ago, will tee up at the Ipswich venue alongside fellow PGA Professional in training Connor Morris.

The leaders in Suffolk will secure a place in the £32,000 grand final to be played at Little Aston in the West Midlands on August 3-5.

And for ambitious Harrington, 22, the qualifier, which takes place on May 5, marks the start of an exciting season which is likely to include playing at Open qualifying and European Tour Qualifying School, as well as coaching at Purdis Heath and studying for his PGA Foundation Degree.

“It’s certainly going to be a busy year,” he smiled. “Before I can get stuck back into playing again I’ve got my exams to sit!

“It’s really hard work juggling work, teaching, playing and the course itself but you know it has to be done to become PGA qualified so you get on with it!

“I wasn’t able to play in this event last year as I was involved in a pro-am at the club [Rochford Hundred], but it was definitely one I wanted to play this year.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Little Aston so naturally you want to get to the final there. That’s definitely the aim and I’m confident that I can do it.”

Harrington admitted he won’t be piling the pressure on 19-year-old Morris, a first year assistant who has been at Rochford Hundred a matter of months, ahead of the event.

“There might be a little bit of a friendly rivalry there but he’s only just turned pro so I don’t think we’ll be taking that side of things too seriously,” he explained.

“He’s a hard worker around the club and no doubt we’ll share a B&B ahead of the day – we get on really well.”

Should Harrington’s career go to plan he is hoping to establish a career playing the game, although he does take great enjoyment from coaching others at his home course.

“Rochford is a great place to work with really friendly members, and I’m enjoying my time there.

“But of course the ultimate ambition is to become a full-time player. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do and over the next few years I really want to develop my game and see where that can take me.”

Other players competing in the regional qualifier at Purdis Heath include: Marc Brenner (West Essex), Nathan Day (Millbrook), Sufian Dhaduk (Stanmore & Edgware), David Laffar (Hylands), Jessica Heap (Ashridge) and Freddie Russell (Essendon).