Golf: Ferrier not counting chickens just yet . .

BABERTON’S Paul Ferrier reckons he’s done enough to secure his childhood ambition of playing for Scotland in the Home Internationals.But it will take confirmation to arrive from the SGU before he actually believes he’s in the team for the four-cornered event at Glasgow Gailes next month.
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published 26th Jul 2012, 13:23 BST

“I think I’ve secured a spot after the SGU produced a 
new qualifying system at the start of the year,” said the 23-year-old.

“After last weekend’s 
Newlands Trophy at Lanark, I’m lying fourth on the Scottish Order of Merit, which I think should get me in. Also, if they are going by the World Amateur Golf Rankings, I am also the second top Scot on that. But I’ve not heard anything yet so I’m certainly not counting my chickens.

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“It would be great, though. I’ve always wanted to play for Scotland and I’ve not managed it before as I’ve been back in America by the time the Home Internationals come around.”

That was reference to him being at college in Charlotte, where he completed a four-year course before returning at the summer.

He’s planning to head back to North Carolina in a few weeks’ time to launch his professional career by entering the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

But before then, Ferrier has a hectic spell, starting with next week’s Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Dornoch, where he’s the fourth seed.

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“To earn something like that wasn’t really in my plans when I came back from the US, though it is definitely nice to be recognised in such a way,” he admitted.

It’s mainly down to him reaching the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship at 
Royal Troon and now he’s relishing another match-play event. “Being one of the seeds adds a wee bit of pressure, but I view every match-play tie the same way in that I expect every game to be a hard one,” added Ferrier, who faces James Bunch, a former Scottish Boys’ Stroke-Play champion in the first round on Monday.

“It’s the first time I’ll have played up at Royal Dornoch but I’ve only heard good things about it so I’m looking forward to it.”

His mum and dad, Norma and Iain, as well as sister Susan are all heading to the Highlands to make it a family holiday.

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Iain did a great job on the bag at Royal Troon and he’ll be on caddying duties again as Ferrier bids to complete the Scottish double after landing the boys’ equivalent at Dunbar in 2007.

After Dornoch, Ferrier is off to Ireland for the European 
Individual Championship at Carton House outside Dublin.

“It’s a busy spell coming up but I took a break by missing the Sutherland Chalice (a Scottish Order of Merit event in Dumfries) so I am feeling great and my game is also in great shape,” he said.

Initially, Ferrier is going 
to follow in Martin Laird’s spikemarks by trying his luck in the paid ranks in America.

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“I think I am going back to Charlotte, hopefully at the 
end of August or early in 
September,” he revealed.

“I’m trying hard at the 
moment to get enough money together and also trying to get my visa.

“The first stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School is at a course we used to play all the time when I was at college so that would be helpful.

“But it looks as though I will have to get past pre-qualifying for that as it seems as though getting to the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship doesn’t get me an exemption.”

Related topics:GolfRoyal DornochScotland