Norfolk golfer Harry Thomas is set to make his international debut for Wales Under-16s, just three years after teeing up in his first ever junior tournament.

Thomas, who qualifies for Wales through his grandparents, will travel to Holland to play on April 4-5 in a quadrangular match.

He’s part of a team who will take on Scotland, Ireland and the host nation at Kennemer Golf and Country Club – a classic links at Zandvoort where Seve Ballesteros won his first professional event in 1976.

Thomas, 14, is a member at both Eaton and Royal Norwich and attends Culford School, home to an extensive golf programme for pupils.

The teenager’s golf really flourished in 2022, including a second-place finish in the Scottish Boys’ Under 14 Open in which he shot a superb second-round 65.

That performance preceded selection for the Wales National Squad last September since when he has attended regular training weekends at venues such as Celtic Manor, Conwy, Southerndown and Cardigan.

And now the rising star is preparing to line up against emerging talent from other countries.

Thomas said: “I am really excited about the opportunity to represent Wales at the highest level of under-16 golf. It seems surreal that only three years ago I was playing my first ever junior event at Eaton.   

“I have worked really hard on my game. The monthly winter training sessions with the Wales national squad have been really beneficial and the support they give me with the mental side of the game has helped me enormously.

“I hope I can perform well and then get more opportunities to represent Wales in the future. I feel my game has improved greatly over the winter and I feel I am in a really good place for the upcoming season."

Harry, whose current handicap index figure is +0.3, also offered thanks to those who have supported him on his steep upward curve.

He added: “I am so pleased for my coach Neil Lythgoe, the professionals at both Eaton and Royal Norwich and Lawrence Dodd at Culford, who have all helped me so much to get to this stage.”