Avoch golfer aiming to reign in Spain after qualifying for European Open
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JACK Mann is looking forward to taking on the best young golfers in Europe after qualifying for the Junior European Open.
The Fortrose and Rosemarkie golfer will compete in Spain after finishing second at a qualifying event at Newburgh.
The Avoch teenager (14) was only one shot behind the winner when he hit a one-over par 73 on Sunday to book his place in Spain.
Now the third-year Fortrose Academy pupil is looking forward to finding out how he fairs against the top golfers on the continent.
“I am just looking to go out and play the best golf that I can,” he said.
“I know that there is going to be a lot of good golfers out there and it will be a great test for me.”
Speaking about his performance at Newburgh, Mann said: “I was very happy even though I could have been better, but I played solid enough golf to qualify so I was happy.
“The course was great as it’s a links-style course which I am used to, so it set me up well.
“I had a practise round the day before which allowed me to study the course well.”
Mann trains at the Scottish Performance Academy working with top- performance coaches at Craibstone near Aberdeen.
He was also selected for the Scotland under-16 squad to compete at a tournament in Ireland in April which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mann started playing golf when he was eight-years-old and has played competitively regularly for the last three years.
After the Junior European Open, Mann says he will take the next few years to decide what direction he wants to take his golf career.
“I am quite young and there are things that I have in mind,” he said.
“There are things like university scholarships in America or looking to turn professional. But I will wait until further up the line before deciding anything.”
