[1] By May 1896 Howden was a member of Royal Melbourne Golf Club and played in the inaugural Surrey Hills Gentlemen's Championship.

Howden won three matches to reach the final where he met defending champion, Robert Balfour-Melville.

[5] Howden continued his success in 1897, winning the Royal Melbourne club championship in April, beating Louis Whyte in the final.

[10] Howden won the Royal Melbourne club championship for the second time in April 1899, beating Robert Balfour-Melville in the final.

[14][15] Howden won the Surrey Hills Gentlemen's Championship in 1900, three holes ahead of Louis Whyte.

[16] The amateur championship returned to the Sydney area in 1901, being played at The Australian Golf Club on 11 and 12 July.

Howden won with a score of 352, 7 strokes ahead of Hugh MacNeil, although he had trailed by 5 after the first day.