SCHOOLBOY golfer Tom Hartshorne has celebrated his return to the fairways with his first hole in one – at the age of ten.

Tom achieved every golfer’s dream with an ace on the 15th hole at Rockliffe Hall, at Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington.

The youngster, who lives at Eaglescliffe, was playing with his dad, Ally, when he used a driver to hit his ball into the wind on the 181-yard par three and watched it carry the bunker before rolling into the hole.

“I just felt incredible,” said Tom. “I knew I’d struck it well and, when it dropped, I was just jumping for joy.”

Tom, who goes to Durham Lane Primary School, in Eaglescliffe, went on to break 80 for the first time, hitting a gross 78.

Golf has only recently resumed with the easing of the lockdown and Tom was just getting back into the swing of it after an enforced lay-off.

Ally, a businessman, admitted to being emotional on the tee when the ball went in, adding: “It was unbelievable and so special to be playing with him when it happened. It’s a memory we’ll always have together.

“It’s been a frustrating time for everyone, and Tom went from playing just about every day to not playing at all, so to come back and do this is fantastic.

“Most golfers never achieve a hole in one and for him to do it at ten years old is just amazing. We’re so proud of him.”

There was a bonus for Ally because he got away with the tradition of having to buy a bottle of whisky for members afterwards because the clubhouse remains closed.

Tom has been awarded a scholarship to be part of an academy run at Rockliffe Hall by former Middlesbrough and England football manager Steve McClaren.

Last year, he qualified for the World Championships in junior golf, known as the US Kids, at Pinehurst, in South Carolina, finishing 21st out of 168 youngsters. He has automatically qualified for the tournament again if it goes ahead at the end of July.

Tom’s ball and his scorecard, showing his hole in one, are to be framed as a keepsake.

Jason Adams, managing director at Rockliffe, said: “Tom is an incredibly talented junior golfer, and we are proud to have him play here at Rockliffe Hall. This is another fantastic achievement, especially with golf courses being closed for so long. He’s definitely one to watch for the future.”