Firstly I must start with some thank you’s, without all your help my dream of playing professional golf would be so much more difficult if not impossible.
The support and backing you give me I am so very very grateful and I only hope I go on and achieve my goals knowing you are all behind me.
Supporters
Steve Macey who set up SMM Sports Management with my dad and helps to control my finances / budgets from sponsors to entry fees, travelling costs etc
Tracey Lee and the Manners family – Manager and owners of Wrag Barn Golf Club who allow me to use the club and all its facilities and give me the honour of representing the club every time I play on tour – also thank you to all the members and rest of the staff at Wrag Barn who support me
Steve King working endlessly on my web-site keeping everything up to date, all results and reports for everyone to read
Rich Scarrott my coach since I was 14 years old who has coached me from a junior golfer to now playing on the EuroPro Tour one of the biggest tours in Europe as a professional golfer
Ian Ridsdale Director of golf at Wrag Barn for all his help with equipment and and anything I need from the Pro Shop
Sponsors
Duncan Spence – Rickety Bridge & Physicool, huge thank you to Duncan not only for his help in sponsorship but the events I am invited to, the introductions that you have made, and the doors that have been opened whilst I am representing you and your companies,
Mark Keenan – Divorce Online the guy who approached me when I was still a junior golfer and told me then if I ever turn professional golfer to see him first as he would like to help out. True to his word here we are now with me playing as a professional golfer with Marks backing and I’m very proud to be representing Divorce Online everywhere I go
Cath, Mark, Neil, Pete, Guy and everyone at Kingsland Drinks, again all your help is massively appreciated, I really enjoy meeting up with you guys at all the various events you are involved with, The EuroPro Pro-Am with John and Shaun was a great day out
Finally where would I be without Dad, my number 1 fan he works so hard in keeping everything together and organised for me and and I don’t know where to start in thanking him.
My Mum, family and friends – who are always with me supporting me 100% , its a massive boost to know when I’m travelling hundreds of miles from home I know everyone is thinking about me back home and I hope I have done you all proud this year
Results
Onto the golf and a season which started in Spain and finished in Ireland with a couple of trips to Scotland in-between, even a quick chat during the year with the Ryder Cup Captain (obviously didn’t listen to my ideas as Europe when onto lose the cup)
My first tournament and onto the Gecko Tour whilst staying in Spain with some friends of mine – probably couldn’t have gone onto a better start as I holed my tee shot for a hole in one in the practise round, my third of my career
Once back from Spain and onto EuroPro Q school – last year gutted not to make it through, but thankfully this year made it through to the final stage of Q school, even managed to find myself as leader after day one when I opened my qualifying campaign with a -4 under par 67 to lead the field.
Was really nice to be able to play my first EuroPro event in my home county of Wiltshire when I played Cumberwell Park as after that I was all over the country.
Since the opener in Wiltshire I travelled to Scotland twice, Newcastle twice down south to East Sussex, I really have clocked up some miles
Whilst playing my second event in Newcastle, again I found myself as leader and the experience I am gaining is massive
In the free weeks in-between EuroPro I went back to play the Jamega Tour – I achieved two top ten finishes and also recorded two runner up spots in two Pro-Ams I played in
Obviously playing in my pro events is huge for me – but one of my highlights of the year was travelling to Dublin on behalf of my sponsor Rickety Bridge to play in the Darren Clarke Foundation Day
Always try and play in all the charity golf events I’m invited to, but to meet and have chat with Darren was amazing
One other quick mention I must add : )
during August I returned back to the Players Club where I won the Stiff Salver in 2015, delighted to inform you all that in 2016 I won again and retained my title. Hopefully I’m free again next year to play in it again and go on to make three in a row
I played the Stiff Salver with my friend Steve King, who has been interested in my game for many years. Back in my Junior days, Steve came to watch me win the HSBC Wee Wonders and after the competition, Steve got me to sign three golf balls…with the promise that he would give them back to me when I was a Professional Golfer.
True to his word Steve gave me back the balls just before I successfully defended my Stiff Salver Title
My season is all wrapped up now for 2016 and I return back to work for the winter
But the hard work and preparation for next year has already began – I have already met with my coach to set our targets and goals for next year.
In between working and practising on the range my gym routine will be increased to improve my fitness further.
I’m already looking forward to 2017 – and if I can improve again for next year its going to be a very exciting season indeed.
Thank you all again and look forward to keeping you all informed of my progress next year
All the best
Matt
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