Feature Article: Mark Laskey

Guest post from Matt Dodd. Follow Matt online via Twitter @mattdodd11 or visit his blog at www.mattdodd.com

Welsh golfer Mark Laskey has big hopes for the future after winning at Essendon on the Jamega Tour.

The 27-year-old went into the clubhouse in the lead on 7 under par, and the chasing pack were unable to catch him.

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The win has earned Laskey, who is based in Welwyn Garden City, a cheque for £5,000 - and the hard-working golfer is hungry for more success.

The only Welshman to have won a major is Ian Woosnam, but Laskey believes he is the man to emulate the success of ‘Woosie’ – and has set himself a target of five years.

After the event, Laskey said: “It was a great win. Now I want to achieve bigger things.

“I know it’s very ambitious, and wont happen over night, but I would love to be the next Welshman to win a major.

“I’ve set myself a goal of winning a major within the next five years – that would be fantastic.”

Laskey is also buoyed by his complete return from injury. Over the winter, he suffered from shoulder problems, but the Welshman has rested up and now feels back to his best.

“Thankfully the injury to my shoulder is completely healed. I rested it well and for the past few weeks, and I’ve been hitting the gym hard to bring strength back into it.”

He added: “It's so nice to be able to get on clean and jerks to get the explosive power back.”

In recent weeks, Laskey has played in the Sunningdale foursomes and has jetted off to Portugal for to relax and regroup.

He said: “I’ve played in the Sunningdale foursomes, but lost in the quarter-finals despite playing really well.

“My game is getting good. I just have to wait till the bigger events kick off in a month.

“It was good to go to Portugal for a relaxing golf break to break up the winter.

“I played on some really tough courses. San Lorenzo and Quinta do Lago are some of the best, so it was great to get some practice on some really good greens.”

And Laskey, who is attached to The Shire London Golf Club, is determined to continue the recent success of Welsh sport – starting with a bow in the 2012 British Open.

The Martial Arts enthusiast made his Open debut last year at Sandwich, and is determined to feature for the second year in a row.

“I would love to carry on the success for Wales, and I see no reason I cant go qualify for the Open again.

“My game is good and I’m working hard, so I just have to let the results come. Qualifying won't be easy, but I love a challenge.”