JUST how far should a golfer travel to make his debut on the PGA European Tour and how much should he pay for the privilege?

That was the question I put to the likeable Wiltshire professional David Hutton who has dominated Wiltshire PGA events over a number of years.

This was a quiet winter for the PGA struggled to get the winter series of medals off the ground. "I couldn't get the support from the younger lads and the club pros were too busy at their clubs," said the county secretary Simon Shanks from Bowood.

"But we shall keep trying and hopefully arrange a full programme of medals for next winter."

This left Hutton - noted for his snappy dressing on and off the course - with hardly anything to play in. After another failed attempt at winning a European Tour card at the end of last year, he did enough to have a category after his 88th place in the final Tour School at San Roque.

When he realised he had a chance of playing in the New Zealand Open, he elected to fork out £2,000 to travel to the other side of the world and take his chance.

Regrettably he returned out of pocket although he did manage to make the halfway cut to finish 71st and defray his expenses by around £800.

He shot 294 six over par 294 at Queenstown on the South Island from rounds of 75 69 76 and 74. He was accompanied by another Wiltshire player, Mark Searle from High Post, who played just two rounds of 77 and 79.

He later played in the Tusker Kenya Open, another costly event, but this time missed the cut.

When I saw Hutton at West Wilts during the Baby Ben pro-am he was philosophical about the cost. "This was something I simply had to do because you never know how it will turn out," he said.

"But I won't be able to spend that kind of money again unless I get sponsorship."

He will play on the PGA West Region, on the Europro Tour, selected Challenge Tour events and on the local mini-tours this year before making another attempt to winning a tour card.

He has now switched his attachment from High Post to Hamptworth where he has become an important addition to head pro Andy Beal's team.

10:39am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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