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Jamie's aiming at Open glory

Exclusive by David Birtill
15/ 7/2008

STOCKPORT members have vowed to turn out in force to watch Jamie Howarth in the Open Championship which starts at Royal Birkdale on Thursday - despite the local hero being denied a playing attachment by the club when he turned professional three months ago.

The decision has been a source of bewilderment as well as disappointment for the 22-year-old former member, who holds the course record.

But he said that he will not dwell on the issue as he focuses on the biggest week of his life.

"I'm trying to forget about it," he said. "I was upset at the time but it's no longer a big deal. I still have a lot of friends there and it will be great to see them supporting me."

The upshot is that the club will not be represented by Howarth in the world's biggest tournament.

Stockport assistant secretary John Howarth, who is not related, said: "The committee decided not to approve his attachment because he had only been a member for a couple of years or so and he did not play in many of our competitions.

"I don't feel we have done him any disservice and there is no animosity as far as we are concerned.

Feelings

"But I can understand his feelings because I remember when I was his age and a full-time cricketer with Notts and I got the sack. I got over it and I'm sure Jamie will.

"We will all be rooting for him at Birkdale where he will have the best wishes of all our members. I'm going to watch him on one of the practice days."

Jamie and his brother and fellow professional Scott, 28, who caddied for him in the qualifiers and will stay on the bag in the Open, both gave up football for golf, despite being nephews of former Manchester United striker David Herd, whose father Alec was a City legend.

Instead they joined Marple, where Scott is a PGA assistant, and have no regrets about choosing golf as a career.

Jamie was not born when Uncle Alec was banging in 114 goals for the Reds from 1961-68 but he said: "I don't think he got the credit he deserves."

He also revealed that he was a Newcastle United fan, saying: "I've been following them since I was a kid because I liked the way they play," he said, having played midfield for his Werneth High School.

He was already into golf which he took up as a 12-year-old and his mind was made up when he won the Cheshire Under-14 title, adding the county matchplay championship last season when he had a plus three handicap.

But for reasons unknown he was not picked for England like his pal David Horsey.

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