Golf prodigy Nathan Seal books spot at European Junior Open

The junior member of Knaresborough Golf Club will jetset off to Spain in November after earning a place at the prestigious tournament at a qualifying event in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire.

Staveley-based Seal tied with two others junior after shooting a gross score of 76.

Donald and Rose are past winners of the competition, which sees the best young talent in Europe converge on the Costa Del Sol.

Seal, who left St John Fisher’s School in Harrogate last year, said: “I am delighted.

“It was a bit unexpected, especially as I had three double bogeys in my round. I thought I had thrown it away.

The 17-year-old, who started playing golf at Harrogate GC before moving to Knaresborough, will compete in the four-round championship at Finca Cortesin on the Costa Del Sol with an aim to make the cut for the fifth and final day’s play.

“I’m going to go out there and will do what I can do. Hopefully I can just enjoy it and take in the experience.

“It’s a five round competition over five days and there’s a cut too. I have never played in a competition with a cut so that will be something different.”

Paul Seal, Nathan’s dad, coaches junior golfers at Knaresborough and tours around Harrogate Union junior matches with his son.

He admitted he had “proud dad syndrome” and attributed his son’s success to the hard work he has put in since moving to Myerscough College near Preston last September,

Seal’s sister Rachel Seal is also turning heads in golf and represents Yorkshire girls at the U11s age group.

Both juniors were playing at the St Anne’s Old Links Junior Open this week, where Nathan shot a 76 gross to reduce his handicap to 3.5.