Surry on course for fringe tour (From This Is Wiltshire)

Surry on course for fringe tour

11:50am Friday 22nd September 2006

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GOLF: CUMBERWELL Park professional Steve Surry recovered from a "nightmare" opening round to breeze through the first stage of qualifying for the European Tour.

Surry carded a four-over-par 76 on the opening day at the Nick Faldo-designed Chart Hills course in Kent, but fought back to finish on a total of 281, seven under par.

A final round 68 gave Surry a tie for 22nd place and a pass to the second stage of qualifying in Spain in November.

It also guarantees him at least eight starts on the Challenger tour, the second tier of professional golf on the continent.

Said Surry: "This is definitely my best career result to date because it's the first time I've been to the qualifying school.

"I was chuffed to bits to get through after that nightmare opening round.

"The greens were really good so there was a chance to shoot low scores if you were putting well.

"My course management was also very good, that's thanks to some excellent work by my caddie Dave Ritch."

Should Surry repeat his performance in Spain he will graduate to the third and final stage of qualifying, a six-round tournament with the prize a card for the European Tour.

He said: "My main aim is to win a place on the tour. It's what all the practice and hard work is for.

"There were some excellent golfers at Chart Hills which made it even more satisfying to qualify.

"Hopefully I can continue my form of the last three rounds when I go to Spain in two months' time."

Surry has had a successful 2006 to date, with several victories underlining his potential to join the world's elite.

After 10 events and three wins the 24-year-old currently leads the Jemega Golf Tour, a competition for pros and amateurs with a handicap of scratch or better in the south of England.

Surry also won the first stage of qualifying for this year's British Open with a superb performance at the Minchinhampton course in Stroud.

Victory at the first stage of qualifying for the Euro Pro Tour, considered Europe's third tier of professional golf, has also given him a major confidence boost.

"It's been a good year so far, but it's also been an expensive one for me. It cost £1,200 just to enter the competition at Chart Hills.

"It's difficult to make any real money when I spend most of my time travelling to compete in competitions all over the country," he said.

Surry has urged potential sponsors to contact him on 07854407557.

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