The 2003 European Tour Qualifying School Finals saw 35 players graduate to The 2004 European Tour International Schedule. Over the next week we will introduce you to the class of 2003 as they prepare themselves for a season on The European Tour.
1. Richard McEvoy
A talented all rounder as a youngster, played county football, tennis and badminton before making golf his profession. Started the game after a PE teacher friend of his father gave him cut down clubs at the age of eight and proved to be a prodigious talent. A member of the victorious 2001 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team, he now joins former team-mates Luke Donald, Nick Dougherty, Jamie Elson and Steven O'Hara from that winning side on The European Tour after heading the Qualifying School Finals. Also won the Lytham Trophy and Irish Amateur Open Championship in 2001. Coached by Denis Pugh, he idolised Nick Faldo while growing up, and now looks to Tiger Woods as the model of golfing perfection.
"The Final Stage of the Qualifying School is a long, long, week where you have to play well during all six rounds if you are to make it through. It is very tiring as well, but I think if you are playing well you can find that extra energy through your adrenaline. You don't tend to realise how much of a strain it can be mentally until you get home and realise what you have been through. I'm delighted to get through this year because I missed out by one shot last year."
2. Wade Ormsby
Played in all three stages of The European Tour Qualifying School in 2003 (winning Stage One at Chart Hills GC), and completed his 14 rounds in 50 under par. Close friends with Adam Scott, who he is hoping to emulate on The European Tour. "If I can do anything close to what Adam has done then I should be alright," he says. Started playing golf at the age of three, he also represented Adelaide State in cricket before deciding to take to the fairways for a living. Was a semi finalist in the Australian Amateur Championship in 1996, and finished fifth in the New Zealand Open last year.
"To get my card means so much, because up until now I felt as though I've had a brilliant season but not got too much out of it - now I have got something. It was tough to come through all three stages of the Qualifying School, but I did it with a combined total of 50 under par so I feel like I deserve to have come through."
3. Damian McGrane
Colourful Irishman from County Wexford, who topped the Irish Order of Merit three times. First qualified for The European Tour by claiming the 38th card at the 2002 Qualifying School Finals but was forced to return a year later after finishing 140th in the Volvo Order of Merit despite two top ten finishes. Immediately bounced back however by claiming the third card at the 2003 Qualifying School. Took up the game at the age of 14 when his major influence was local professional from Headfort GC in Kells Co. Meath, Joey Purcell. Coached now by Simon Byrne from The Hermitage Club in Dublin. Highlight of his professional career to date is playing in the PGA Cup in 2000.
"I'm proud of myself. I feel happy and relieved that it's all over because it is a very hard week. I played some really good shots this week, and I had to keep doing that. I remember last year I kind of faltered at the end of the last round and just parred my way in - but this year I managed to keep making birdies at the right times because the cut mark was going up and up so you had to keep shooting low scores."
4. Jeppe Huldahl
Arrived at The European Tour Qualifying School Finals as an amateur but joined the professional ranks on the eve of the tournament. His first professional event could not have gone better as he earned the fourth card at the Qualifying School to take his place on The 2004 European Tour International Schedule. Took up golf at the age of six when his dad first introduced him to the game at his home club at Holstebro. A Danish International, Huldahl receives tuition from Denmark's National Coach Magnus Landstrom and his assistant Jan Frej.
"I was trying to enjoy the Qualifying School experience and really liked it. Managed to stay relaxed throughout. I've only played one European Tour event - the Nordic Open in Denmark - so it will be a whole new experience competing week in week out. It was a long road for me to get here, through Stage One and Stage Two so it is a great achievement to come through all three stages."
5. Matthew Cort
First picked up a club at the age of 12 but it was not until the age of 15 that he first
joined a club. Until that time his efforts had been concentrated on football, playing left midfield for Leicester Schoolboys. But at the age of 15 he stopped playing football and golf took over. Financed his early golf career working in a glass factory during the winter. Admires Bernhard Langer for the way he manages himself and Gary Player for his fitness.
"This is the second time that I've managed to get my card at the School, now I just have to concentrate on not having to do it next season. I think my game is getting better every year ball striking wise, I just have to get a bit more confidence in my game and that's what I'll be looking to work on next season. I had a great finish at the Tour School this year, holing my sand wedge on the last. That could be important for me because the higher you finish, the better chance you have of getting more starts on Tour next season."
