DAVID HAGUE has blazed a trail through some of York's biggest golf competitions over the past couple of months. STEVE CARROLL asks the champion whether a professional career might be in the offing.

IF WORLD number one Rory McIlroy considers himself to have had a golden summer, maybe he should check out David Hague's momentous trophy haul.

The Malton teenager has put together a string of results in the past few weeks that have catapulted him to the top of the tree in York golf.

It began at the start of August with a pulsating performance to win the York Union of Golf Clubs' Junior Championship at York Golf Club - rounds of 68 and 67 spread-eagling a talented field, with the runner-up 11 shots behind.

Then the youngster went to Sand Moor and claimed a Yorkshire Order of Merit title before two rounds of 68 brought him his own club championship at Malton & Norton GC.

The prize-winning frenzy continued at the end of the month when Hague went to Aldwark Manor and Scarthingwell and, over two days of intense competition, beat Gary Thorner, Adrian Lount and James Cass, 5 & 3 in the final, to take the Union's matchplay championship.

It is a run that have seen his handicap scythed from two, at the start of the season, to a mark of plus one and he is far from finished yet.

He is hoping to continue his run of great form at the end of this month at the North of England Amateur at Pannal GC in Harrogate. Victory there would cap off an incredible few months for a young man who didn't even take up the game until he was 11.

"I've loved the game ever since I started playing," Hague said. "My grandparents played and I found I had a natural affinity for the game. I can't get enough of it."

So much so that the 18-year-old has passed on the chance to go on to university to concentrate on golf full time.

"I gave it a bit of thought - going down the American route (of college golf at university) - but we didn't really get too into that. Golf coach Steve Robinson (head pro at Sandburn Hall GC) is mentoring me on what path to take.

"He said 'don't go to uni or golf college, stick with me and I will sort you out'. I have got confidence in Steve and so does my mum and dad. We trust him 100 per cent."

Although Hague has been unrelenting in the last few competitions, he has also had to show patience. Success has not come immediately for the talented youngster.

But the ace of clubs reckons a period of warm weather training in Spain over the winter laid the building blocks for the impressive form he is now displaying.

"I had a handicap of two at the start of the season and I am now at plus one," he added. "That's a big jump. I have had the time to play this season and I am lucky that all the work over the winter has paid off and I have been able to play in competitions.

"My short game has been the key. My long game still needs much improvement but I have just been able to get the ball in the hole.

"There was no thought in my mind that I would do this well this season. Half-way through and I still had not won anything. It's all happened in the second half."

Descent into plus figures invariably brings an inevitable question - when are you turning professional? In this regard, Hague is showing maturity beyond his years.

Aware he still has much to achieve, and knowing the gap that exists between the top of the amateur game and even the lowest rungs of the pro circuit, he is determined to take his time.

"I am still going to give it two, three or maybe even four years at amateur level," Hague explained.

"I would like to get to plus four or five. If I can get to that level then I might turn professional. You need to be so good nowadays to make it.

"Chris Halley (who plays out of Malton & Norton on the EuroPro Tour) is a different standard all together to where I am. But I am looking forward to competing in bigger and better events and trying to get to the top.

"The British Amateur is the big one for me next year and my aim is to try to make the cut and get through to the matchplay rounds.

"I will be going to Spain again this winter and I will look to play in the amateur championship over there. I am very lucky to have the opportunity that I have got.

"My parents are backing me 100 per cent and not everyone has that. I intend to make the most of it."