Great Scott Joins an Illustrious Club
By Mike Crowther

It was only when Scott Clarkson saw the names on the silverware that he realised what he had achieved.
Driving home from Pannal Golf Club with his dad, the Yorkshire Boys Amateur Championship trophy in his hands, he looked at the engravings highlighting previous winners - Howard Clark, Simon Dyson, Danny Willett (the former world number one amateur who’s just turned professional).

"It didn't sink in until that moment," said the Skipton and Ilkley member.
"It wasn't a case of thinking, right, you've made it' but rather what a stepping stone it could be when you see those kind of names."

Of course, it is too early to start comparing him with European Tour players but the 17-year-old displayed the kind of mental strength needed to succeed in the game.
After an opening-round 73, Clarkson dropped a shot at the first in his afternoon round and then hit his tee shot on the second out of bounds.
But he dug deep to make birdie with his second ball, steadied himself with a few pars and then carded four birdies in a row from the seventh to the tenth. His revival saw him end up with a 69 and was enough to pip Bingley St Ives' Liam O'Neill to the trophy by one shot.
Clarkson - who was also under-16 county champion at Knaresborough two years ago - said: "I stood on the third tee and thought you have to be mentally strong and show what you are made of.' "Two years ago, I could have given it up and thought I was on for a big number. But I got a grip of myself, tried to burn it up and it paid off."
Now playing out of Ilkley this year, his triumph has earned him a first appearance for the senior Harrogate Union team on Sunday - ironically against Bradford at Cleckheaton.
The host side includes several youngsters with whom Clarkson used to play with for Bradford's junior team, including O'Neill, Sam Jewell and Nigel Colbeck.
He said: "I'm not going to fire the gun and say I'll beat him or I'll beat him.
"They are all good players and it will just be nice to play against people I know."

The two handicapper's game is blossoming under the tuition of Harrogate Golf Club's Bill Ferguson, who made his name coaching Colin Montgomerie.
He said: "If something is slightly off he notices it straight away."

But he is quick to pay tribute to Skipton where his game first took shape in the club's thriving junior academy under Ben Mallinson.
He said: "They did everything for me in terms of paying for golf lessons and looking after me. I have moved to Ilkley to better myself but Skipton remains a big part of my golf."