Howard first came to notice in 1913. Playing off a handicap of 2 he finished tied for third place in a competition marking the opening of the municipal course at Moore Park, New South Wales. Two weeks later, playing for the Bonnie Doon club, he finished 4th in qualifying for the New South Wales Amateur Championship, and reached the semi-finals, losing to Eric Apperly at the 37th hole. It was reported that he had "not played for some years." In 1914 he reached the final of the NSW Amateur, losing to Jim Howden by one hole.
