The 2018 season has come to a close and time for my summary of the years’ ups and downs!
Firstly I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone when it suddenly dawned on me next year will be my fifth year as a Touring Professional!
And this year with seven top ten finishes was my most successful to date!.
So where did it all start?
Thompson Tour
On a new winter tour. I found the Thompson Tour which was perfect for me. One day events and I thought this would be great practice to start the year off and get me ready for the EuroPro Q school
After a bit of a stuttering start with all the bad weather (weeks of snow) I teed it up at Luton Hoo Golf Club. A nice start to the season with -1 under par round and a 5th place finish.
Next stop EuroPro Q school
I had been practicing hard and playing really well so I couldn’t wait to get going. Another weather effected event in fact day one was completely washed out, but into day two and a solid round of -3 under par saw me finish in 3rd place and safely through to the second stage.
I played another two events on the Thompson Tour waiting for the season to get going and with a round of 72 I finished runner up and Crewes Hill Golf Club, before rounds of 68 + 69 (-5 total) also saw me secure runner up at the Bedford Golf Club
Four events played and four top five finishes
Jamega Tour
My season continued with me playing EuroPro and Jamega Tour events and notable finishes were 66 (-4) at Royal Ascot Golf Club in Jamega Pro-Am for a 3rd place finish, before shooting the same score in the main event with a second round 72 to finish in 7th place.
Another stand out moment I will remember was my front nine score of (-5) 31 at Aldwickbury Golf Club which included 6 threes in 9 holes and left me just 1 shot off the lead at the time
EuroPro Tour
Another busy year on the EuroPro Tour which see me start in Scotland at Montrose Golf Club and then also the year finish back in Scotland as I headed up to Aberdeen for the season finally.
Nicely sandwiched in-between this trips I glad to say were a few local ones as I played at Cumberwel Park near Bath, Clevedon near Bristol and Caversham Heath in Reading amongst others in another very busy season on the EuroPro Tour.
2019 will again see me make this tour my main goal to play on as I try to earn a place on the European Challenge Tour.
Open Qualifying – Regional
One of my biggest and proudest achievements of the year was at Minchinhampton Golf Club where they were holding regional qualifiers for this years Open Championships.
Out in one of the very early groups I shot a -4 under par 68 to finish in 5th place and get through to the final stages for the second consecutive year.
Open Qualifying – Final
Unfortunately at final stages I didn’t make it through to Golf’s best Major, but if you keep knocking on the door, one day, who knows it may open!
European Tour Qualifying
I teed it up at the Players Club near Bristol. I was so excited to play in this event and I couldn’t wait to get going.
Difficult conditions with drizzle rain all day, but I played some great golf in the poor weather and was very pleased after day one to come in on +1 (73) to leave me near the top half of the leader board.
Day two I played really solid again but just couldn’t get the vital putts to drop and at the end of the day I had shot +4 (76) and was +5 for the tournament going into the 3rd day to make the cut.
Day three, I played my best on the day, in difficult conditions, but sadly missed the cut by just one shot.
A tough competition on a tough course but a great experience, what it all came down to was 53 holes that saw me qualifying for second stage in Spain and only for 1 bad hole to take that away.
Try again next year!
Another Hole In One!
And to round the season off in style I made my first Hole in One in a professional tournament as I aced the par 3 2nd at The Players Club on my way to a round of -4 under par 68 in the final Jamega Tour event of the year.
Big Thanks
I am always grateful for all the help and support from many people throughout the year, with out your help my journey would be even harder than it is, so I thank you all so much for all your support it is massively appreciated. Here’s a shout out for you
Sponsors
Duncan Spence – Rickety Bridge, 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 Mark’s 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.
Mark Marais and the team at Chaka Travel for all my clothing, shoes and accessories for the 2018 season
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 website keeping everything up to date, all results and reports for everyone to read
Ian Ridsdale Director of golf at Wrag Barn for all his help with equipment and anything I need from the Pro Shop
Finally my Mum, Dad, family and friends for all your continued support – always there for me when I’m back from events, and all the messages I receive whilst I’m travelling away from home it really means a lot.
I hope you all also had a great 2018
Thank you
Matt
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