REGISTER WITH MY EUROPEAN TOURTO ENTER YOUR FANTASY RACE TO DUBAI TEAM FOR THE FIRST COUNTING EVENT AT THE ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE PLAYED FROM JANUARY 15-18, 2015. REGISTRATION FOR THE GAME IS NOW OPEN.
Flashback to January 2014 and Martin Carr was pondering over which batch of ten to pick first as part of The European Tour’s Fantasy Race to Dubai game, and just 11 months later it was his team, named after his favourite football side – Queens Park Rangers – that were victorious.
Following the thrills and spills of a memorable golfing year, and with the new Fantasy season set to kick into action the week of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to be played from January 15-18, 2015, a catch up with last season’s winner seemed pertinent.
Clinching the number one spot has bagged Martin an enviable prize for any golf fan - a VIP experience at the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, as well as a custom fitted set of Titleist irons.
However, he revealed that the prizes on offer were not the only aspect of the game that he profited from.
Martin used the game, hosted on My European Tour, to enhance his enjoyment of the 2014 season as he ardently shadowed his Fantasy players’ performances each week, anticipating the precious points that they would bring.
An avid golf fan, he soon discovered that the game not only supplemented the pleasure he took in watching each European Tour event, but also heightened his interest in elements of the Tour that he would perhaps not ordinarily appreciate.
The man himself remarked: “I have been following The European Tour for a long time but this was my first year to join the Fantasy League. It gave me more enjoyment watching the smaller tournaments as I had an interest watching all ten players that I would not normally follow.
“I always had a good interest in watching golf on TV, but fantasy golf boosts that enjoyment and gives me that more of an edge and a thrill.”
“I really enjoyed following all the players as it gave me a greater insight into all everyone on the Tour. The season goals for different players are different; some looking to retain their card, others Race to Dubai qualification - it is not always about winning.
However winning was consistently a motivating factor for Martin, who dedicated time and effort into his team selections.
Although he was understandably wary of dishing out too many trade secrets, the 2014 champion did divulge a few nuggets of wisdom for his fanatical Fantasy League brethren.
Martin emphasised the importance of intricate research, stating: “Mainly I would study the form of players over the last five events. I also looked at the form of players who played in the same tournament over the last two seasons if it was played on the same course too.
“Horses for courses also factored into the equation - some players suit long courses while others suit tighter layouts. And, of course, I have a set of favourite players who I would always pick if they played, and if possible, I would also include home players for that tournament too.”
Therefore those 2015 point seekers, ravenous for the next season to begin, would do well to heed the advice of this Fantasy guru in preparation for Abu Dhabi, as it would appear that doing your homework is paramount to a successful campaign.
Luck, of course, remains important within the game, with players hitting form at the right time a fundamental factor in a profitable points harvest each week.
Martin was happy to admit that he got his fair share of good timing throughout the season, while also relishing some particularly fruitful periods that were key to his Fantasy success.
Our Fantasy golf top dog pin-pointed a few of these moments throughout his year: “I had Justin Rose as my star player in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open while others had not. Also Rory winning two Majors when I had him as my star player also paid off. That period took me into the lead.
“Shane Lowry coming into form towards the end of the season also helped me hang on to my lead, as did a resurgent Ian Poulter.”
By amassing a whopping 42,391,426 points over the course of the year, Martin picked up a once in a lifetime experience at Wentworth Club in May, and a custom set of Titleist irons which proves, à la Bruce Forsyth, that points really do make prizes.
Commenting on his booty, the 2014 Fantasy winner said: “I am very pleased with the prize. I have been to several British and Irish Opens over the years and I have always watched Wentworth on TV, as it is a very interesting course, and I am looking forward to the experience. Also, as a keen golfer, the Titleist irons will be very useful.”
The same winner’s incentive will be up for grabs in the New Year, along with the return of the Top Ten Challenge prize and other enticing titbits from week to week.
For more information, head to theFantasy section of My European Tourto register your first team of ten.
As Martin added: “My European Tour and Fantasy golf go hand in hand.”
Since registering he has also made the most of other competitions and offers that run on this section of the site, so be sure to follow suit and you could well be our next big winner.
