The last of our series introducing the class of 2004 brings you the players finishing 31st to 39th at The European Tour Qualifying School at San Roque, now posied for a new year on The European Tour International Schedule.
- Neil Cheetham
Promising right back, who had signed schoolboy forms with Sheffield Wednesday, his football career ended at the age of 14 after a bad tackle caused knee damage. However he admits that 'proved to be a blessing in disguise' as it nudged him towards playing golf seriously. Turned professional at 17 in 1985 with a handicap of plus two. Worked closely over the years with former European Tour professional Hadyn Selby-Green. Made three out of eight cuts on the European Tour in 2000 to set himself up for a fourth straight attempt at the Qualifying School Finals where he achieved his ambition of earning a Tour card. Finished 154th on the Volvo Order of Merit in 2001 and spent the subsequent three seasons on the Challenge Tour before reclaiming his card in 31st place at the Qualifying School.
"I think that the fact we had the Finals at San Roque was very important. Those two courses there test you on everything - the mental and physical aspects of the game, and I think that is really important at the Qualifying School because the players who can bring all of that together should be rewarded. I'm delighted to be one of the ones that came through, and I can look forward to next season now."
Won the English Amateur Championship in 1998 and turned professional the following year. Entered Qualifying School on five previous occasions, gaining his card on his fourth visit to the Finals in 2004. Played on the European Challenge Tour from 2001 with best finish in the Rankings at 19th in 2002. Introduced to the game aged 13 by his golfing father playing first at his local pitch and putt, then joining Knowle Golf Club where he also worked in the Professionals' Shop. A source of inspiration comes from listening to CD recordings of younger brother Lee, a former painter and decorator, now training as a professional opera singer. Coached by Matthew Belsham of Whitehill Golf Centre who was recommended by among others, Simon Khan, winner of the 2004 Celtic Manor Wales Open. An avid Liverpool fan, he was once hit by a bus on the way to seeing them beat Newcastle 2-1.
"It is a bit surreal. I had a premonition at the beginning of the year that I would have a mediocre season but get my card at the Qualifying School Finals. This is a real tough test, I shot an 82 in the fourth round and thought I'd missed it, but patience is the name of the game here and a single putt can turn it around."
Returns to The European Tour International Schedule in 2005 after making a second successful visit to the Qualifying School at his tenth attempt, claiming the 33rd card at San Roque. Celebrated his fourth year on the Challenge Tour in 1999 by gaining his card without winning a title but lost his playing rights in 2000 on The European Tour. Bounced back in 2001 but was again forced to return to the Challenge Tour after losing his card the following season. Preferred soccer as a youngster but suffered a bad injury and turned his attention to golf - with excellent results.
"What do I think of the School Finals? It is a war! You have to go into to it thinking that you are in a battle because you have to fight to get the Card. I am very happy to have done that this year, I now hope that I can play well enough to stay on Tour next season."
Became serious about golf at 12 years of age at Hayling Golf Club, where his single-figure handicap father ran the Junior Section. Played amateur golf for England between 1994 and 1997, winning the Welsh Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship in 1996. An avid fan of the ancient sport of Real Tennis, first played by King Henry VIII and now a game enjoyed by the Duke of Wessex. One of only 20 courts in England is 200 yards from his home. A trip with good friend, Justin Rose, to the David Leadbetter School in Florida at Christmas 2001 gave Blackey the impetus to go on to keep his card in 2003. 'What I saw there opened my eyes to what was required at the top of the game,' he said. A series of missed cuts towards the end of the 2004 season resulted in him finishing in 129th place on the Volvo Order of Merit but he retained his place on Tour with 34th card at the Qualifying School Finals.
"The Finals are a great opportunity to get back on Tour and I think it is a good system. From my point of view, having lost the card in the first place, then I will take whatever chance I can to win it straight back. Obviously you have some restriction on the amount of playing opportunities you have, but that's life - if you do well then you will deserve to be there."
One of four Swedish golfers to graduate from the 2003 Challenge Tour Rankings, Erlandsson, from Malmö, made the step up after six years on the Challenge Tour. Was a model of consistency during 2003 - with nine top ten finishes, including his maiden Challenge Tour win at the Izki Challenge de España. Missed out on retaining his card by three places in 2004, finishing 119th on the Volvo Order of Merit, but went to the Qualifying School and emerged with the 35th card. During his amateur career, played for Sweden in the 1996 Eisenhower Trophy.
"It is a tough week with the conditions being up and down, you don't know what to expect which makes it hard to prepare. It is also longer than a normal week so you have to be careful and not tire yourself out with practice. I played the whole of last season on The European Tour and I wasn't too happy with my game and I finished 119th on the Volvo Order of Merit so it is nice to get back again. I feel I know the courses better and what I need to do so hopefully I will be better prepared."
Son of golf professional, Roberto, who has played on the European Seniors Tour. Roberto is a professional in Rome and Marco began swinging a club at the age of two. His father is still his coach and such has been Marco's progress that he played for Italy at boys and senior level. He turned professional in November 1999 and was soon celebrating with the Italian PGA Championship. Won the BMW Russian Open in 2000 to claim the 15th and last card on the Challenge Tour, but finished 159th on the Volvo Order of Merit the following year. Spent a further three years on the Challenge Tour without success but finally regained his card in 36th place in the Qualifying School Finals.
"It's been a long way through both stages. Going into the final round here I knew I had to play as well or better than the previous day and get the putter going. I've made the Finals twice before but not made my card, so this is obviously a good day for me."
Taught to play by his father, a carpenter to trade, Jonzon carved out his first victory on The European Tour when he won the 1997 Portugese Open, leading from the halfway stage before posting a three shot winning advantage over Ignacio Garrido. The win came during a six year spell on The European Tour from 1995 to 2000, the run coming to an end when he finished 160th on the Volvo Order of Merit in 2000. He moved to the Challenge Tour and rediscovered his hunger and passion for the game and it was in June 2003 that he won his first Challenge Tour title when he stormed to victory in the Galeria Kaufhof Pokal Challenge in Germany and followed it up two months later with his second victory of the season, when four rounds in the 60s gave him a three shot win in the Rolex Trophy in Geneva. It saw him graduate from the Challenge Tour at the end of the 2003 season and although he did not keep his card automatically, finishing 153rd on the 2004 Order of Merit, he won it back when he took 37th place in the Qualifying School Finals at San Roque in November.
"I think the New Course here at San Roque has been a good thing as has been having both courses at the same venue for the first time in a long time. That has been a big help. It is a big difference from a normal Tour event because it is all about pressure, so much more than every other week. It is like playing last off Sunday every round. Here you are playing for the whole of next year. I want to get back to the Tour because I want to be playing at the highest level, simple as that."
Caddied for countryman Angel Cabrera at the 2001 The Players Championship at Sawgrass on the US PGA Tour as well on a couple of other occasions that same year. Lists Cabrera, as well as his good friend, Vicente Fernandez, as the main influences on his career. Currently coached by Mariano Bortolome, but still consults Horacio de Vicenzo - the nephew of the 1968 Open Golf Championship winner Roberto de Vicenzo - on his game. Rey, who took the 38th out the 39 Cards at the 2004 Qualifying School Finals, loves to play football and socialise with his Argentine friends as often as possible. His grandfather, Armando Bo, was a famous actor in Argentina, making many films that featured in cinemas all over the country.
"I think the Qualifying School is a very good and well organised system, but then that comes as no surprise to me as most of the tournaments in Europe are like this. The School is a big week for everyone and I am glad that I have been able to enjoy it. To have my Tour Card is another step forward for me. Every player has the goal to win the big tournaments and the Majors, and this gets me closer to doing that."
Started with friends playing 'street golf' aged ten using a set of cut down clubs. Progressed to pitch and putt then joined Rickmansworth Golf Club. As an amateur represented England at all levels. Played the Nationwide Tour in the USA for past two years where he linked up with coach, Todd Anderson, the professional at Sea Island Golf Club, Georgia. Enjoys music and plays acoustic guitar. Also plays football, tennis and table tennis. Dad, Clive, was former manager of non-league football club, Hayes. His closing 75 at the 2004 Qualifying School Finals was good enough to take the 39th and final card.
"This has been a dream of mine since I was ten years old. I felt nervous at times as this is a tough test, but if you play well here then you deserve your card. I cannot wait to tee up in European Tour events in 2005 and to test myself against some of the best players in the game."
