HARRY Atkinson is a golf nerd.
Atkinson compiles statistics from each round in a notebook - putts, driving accuracy, greens in regulation.
That side of it is a bit old-fashioned.
Atkinson is also into golf science. How physics and body mechanics improve the golf swing, ball flight and performance.
"I love diving into the data," he said.
He uses the latest technology to measure things like ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, face angle, club path.
When not on the driving range, Atkinson is in the Putting Lab at Charlestown Golf Club working with coach Ryan Smith searching for even the slightest edge.
"The Putting Lab is a really good tool," he said.
Atkinson is also into numbers and knows how hard it is to defend the WE Alexander Open.
The 36-hole championship at Waratah is the most prestigious amateur golf event in the Hunter.
In its 54-year history only nine players - headed by PGA Tour winner Nathan Green - have won it in consecutive years.
Atkinson, 20, fired consecutive rounds of 66 to finish eight-under last year and win by four strokes from Hamish Ellison.
He is hoping for a repeat this weekend.
"It's a special tournament and one I'm looking forward to," he said. "It attracts a quality field, but the plan is to try and win it again.
"It is a course you can attack; fire at the flags and try to make as many birdies as possible."
Ellison is again among a host of other leading contenders including Steve Slappendel, Clayton Small, Matt Kirkwood, Tim Meek and locals Nash and Eli Peattie.
Atkinson, who works at Rippit Golf and is studying business at Newcastle University, is in career-best form.
He shot four under to win the 36-hole Regional Championship at Tuncurry last weekend.
He was the leading amateur, and 23rd overall, at five under against the professionals in the NSW Open Regional Qualifier in Lismore late last month.
That followed a breakthrough win in the St Michael's Cup - a world amateur golf ranking (WAGR) event - and an undefeated season for Pymble in the Sydney majors pennants.
"Over the past two years I have been playing consistent events all over Australia," Atkinson said. "Now I am starting to get rewards for it.
"I have also done a bit of work with Ryan Smith of late. My putting has been solid but the difference has been my ball striking.
"I have been giving myself lots of chances at birdie. Even if I miss a few putts, I don't worry about it. I know I am hitting the ball well and I will give myself more chance. They will drop eventually.
"It was a good experience playing up at Lismore. It showed my game is not that far away from the professionals."
Atkinson, who plays off a +4 handicap and is a member at Charlestown, Newcastle, Kurri Kurri and Pymble, was last month named in the Australian university side to contest the World Championship in Thailand in November.
That is the start of a big 12 months.
"I triggered my WAGR by winning the St Michael's Cup," he said. "Now I can play more of the bigger amateur events overseas.
"I am going to Q school next year. If I do get through I will postpone it for a year and play amateur tournaments overseas. I want to go to the UK and play in the St Andrew Links Trophy and The Amateur."
