No fewer than 15 rookies will be taking their place on The European Tour International Schedule having progressed through the Qualifying School Finals. Among them are Ben Banks and Nobuhito Sato, two of the five players we feature in this, the second part of our introduction to the class of 2003.
6. Ben Banks
Earned his European Tour Card after successfully negotiating all three Stages of The European Tour Qualifying School. Took up golf aged 11 when invited to play in a little tournament on a short course set up in a friend’’s garden. Studied English and Business Studies at the University of Florida where he formed part of the NCAA winning team in 2001 that also included US Amateur Champion Bubba Dickerson. Coached by Bob Lore at the Leadbetter Academy in Orlando, Florida. Has a famous father in Tony Banks, keyboard player and songwriter for the world-famous band Genesis.
“I got into the Finals by shooting a 65 in the final round during Stage Two and then to shoot 63 in the fifth round in the Finals was unbelievable. That one round put me right in the frame and to finish as well as I did was better than I could have hoped. It’’s every golfer’’s dream to play on The European Tour and test yourselves against the best and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
7. Nobuhito Sato
A winner of nine titles on the Japan Golf Tour, second on the 2002 Money List and winner of over €3 million in his home country, Sato arrived at The European Tour Qualifying School Finals looking to extend his golfing education on the world stage. A big fan of Tommy Nakajima when he was growing up, he first took up golf at the age of ten under the guidance of his father, a big golf fan. Educated at Nevada Reno University in the United States under a golf scholarship, Sato is only the second Japanese golfer to progress through the European Tour Qualifying School Finals following Katsuyoshi Tomori in 1996. Enjoys his music and particularly karaoke.
"The Qualifying School is very tough. When you see all the players on the range you realise everyone here is a very good player. I just wanted to get on The European Tour so much to get experience on the world stage. This is a better Tour than Japan, better players and I want to get experience overseas. If you stay in Japan all the time you don't get to test yourself against foreign players."
8. Warren Bennett
Took up the game at the age of 12 after being spellbound by Seve Ballesteros's Open Golf Championship triumph at St Andrews in 1984. Ten years later played in the Open Golf Championship at Turnberry and won the silver medal as leading amateur. Sat out most of 1996 with a twisted vertebrae. Out of action for ten weeks. Accepted loan from his father to play the Challenge Tour in 1998 and set new standards - winning five times. Gained his first victory on The European Tour in 1999 when he won the Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles. Suffered badly from illness and injury during 2000 season. Took six months to recover from a bout of pneumonia in October 1999 then needed several more months of extensive treatment to cure damage to the nerves and bones in his neck. Played on a full medical extension in 2001 but showed he had returned to full fitness with an excellent season which saw him finish 29th on the Volvo Order of Merit. Another consistent season in 2002 saw him finish 77th on the Volvo Order of Merit. Could not maintain the consistency in 2003 and finished 174th, but regained his playing privileges with an eighth place finish in the Qualifying School.
“It was a frustrating week as I was not on full burners but managed to play consistent golf. Now I'm going out looking for the first victory as soon as I can. I feel my game is back to where it was two years ago and feel really positive about next year. You don't want to be here but I have a job to do and managed to do it. I have learnt a lot over the last year and hope to take that on Tour.”
9. Terry Price
Enjoyed a good start to 2003 with five top 30 finishes in his first nine events on The European Tour International Schedule after having come through the Qualifying School in 2002. Could not quite maintain the momentum however and finished 119th on the Volvo Order of Merit, missing out on automatic qualification for 2004 by only €4,238 (£2,955) and two places. However, returned to the Qualifying School and an impressive performance with all six rounds in the 60s saw him claim card number nine. Spent most of his career playing in his native Australia and Asia. Victories include the Dunhill Malaysian Masters, New South Wales and New Zealand Opens.
“I was obviously disappointed that I didn't keep my card by just two spots. Now I know the courses and other things much better and now I need to get back out on Tour and do better next year. I like it over here, have made a lot of mates and it’’s great to be back. There are more Aussies on Tour next year so it should be good fun.”
10. Paul Marantz
A late starter in the game, which he took up at the age of 17 "for fun" with a few friends in Sydney. Turned professional five years later and notched four second place finishes on the Australasian Tour before his success at The European Tour Qualifying School Finals. Coached by Gary Barter at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney. Lists jet-skiing among his hobbies and interests. Played in the 1997 Open Golf Championship Regional Qualifying at Carlisle, where one of his playing partners had his clubs stolen - only to be handed a replacement set by one of the world's most famous footballers Alan Shearer. As a stunned clubhouse watched Shearer hand over his irons, Marantz introduced himself, asking "so what do you do for a living then, mate?"
“I think the Qualifying School is a good concept, but it is a hard week that you just have to get your head down and get through. It does offer you a great opportunity to play on The European Tour and I think the fact that it is played over the course of six rounds means that everyone who makes it through the Finals is more or less deserving of it."
