SINKING birdies on a golf course, stopping a goal in an elite football fixture or serving an ace on the tennis court is a way of life for Tea Gardens sporting whiz Harry Leggatt.

Fourteen-year-old Harry has a passion for sport and already can boast an impressive list of achievements that would make any seasoned athlete proud.

He had a tennis racquet and golf club in his hand as soon as he could walk and was always kicking a ball around.

Most weekends you’ll find the promising golfer competing in local competitions or in the Jack Newton Junior Foundation events throughout NSW.

The gifted Medowie Christian School student is a two time Junior Club Champion at Hawks Nest Golf Club and the current A Grade Nett champion.

Versatile Harry told News Of The Area, “Golf is my favourite sport that gives me plenty of enjoyment.

“I like to be active on the football field but the strategy and shot selections around a golf course get my adrenaline and competitive spirit going,” he said.

A six marker, Harry will be chasing a third consecutive Junior Club Championship title in October after reaching an historic personal milestone earlier this year.

The talented teenager etched his name in the record books when chosen to represent Hawks Nest Golf Club in the 2023 A Grade Pennants team.

Harry and his father Ian Leggatt created history as the first son and father to represent Hawks Nest Golf Club in the same A Grade side since the club was formed back in 1963.

Back in 2019, Harry played his first Pennants game for Hawks Nest at the age of eleven in C Grade and finished first in C Grade Nett and second overall in Nett at the Hawks Nest Beachside Pro Am tournament.

Harry is also a member of Newcastle District Golf Club and last year represented Newcastle District Golf Association in the PR West Shield and Lower North Coast District.

When he is not teeing off on the golf course, you’ll find the young gun shining as a centre back or defender with the Newcastle Olympic Under 15s in the Northern NSW Football Youth League competition.

He began his football career as a five year old with Tea Gardens Soccer Club and played with Medowie FC Under 8s and Under 9s before he was accepted into the Northern NSW Skills Acquisition Phase (SAP) 10s, 11s and 12s teams.

During the 2019 season, Harry represented Newcastle SAP Under 12s at the Northern NSW State SAP Championships – clinching the 11 Years Boys title.

At the age of eleven, Harry was selected in a Junior Development team that travelled to the United Kingdom to train with major clubs and play matches against teams of similar or better standard.

The group trained at centres for famous clubs Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Brighton, Derby, Blackburn Rovers and St George’s Park National Football and played matches against the Red Devils, Seagulls, Rovers, Rams, Cheltenham Town, Chester and Crewe Alexandra.

Harry played Under 13s and Under 14s with Lake Macquarie City Football Club and last year won the Coaches Player of the Year Award.

The budding golfer is interested in becoming a Club professional one day and if his latest deeds count for anything Harry is well on the way to realising that goal.

By Chris KARAS