Update - Steven O'Hara - Our ambassador

From the age of seven, golf has played a major part in his life and under the early stewardship of Ian Rae - now the Scottish National Golf Coach – he went on to win the British and Scottish Boys Championship as well as representing Scotland and Great Britain. He continued to pick many amateur honours including victory in the European Championships with the culmination of his amateur career coming as he helped GB & Ireland win the Walker Cup in Georgia. Steven joined the full tour in 2004 and produced some amazing golf at the Diageo Championship later that year, securing third spot and his card for 2005.

Steven's update

As you can imagine, I have had better Christmases. After losing my European Tour card last year, I was more than a little down at what is supposed to be a happy time of year. But hey, time moves on and I have plenty of incentives – and opportunities – to do better in 2008.

So, rather than moping around with my head down, I’ve been hitting a lot of balls over the holiday period. I’ve spent a lot of time with my coach, Ian Rae, and we have been working hard on every aspect of my game, especially my putting, which was the real reasons I struggled so badly last year. I’ve also spent a fair bit of time in the gym, to the point where I have never felt fitter in my life. Even better, it has been a while since I have felt so enthusiastic about playing.

All of which has me raring to go. And my season will get off to an early start in South Africa, where I am competing in the Joburg Open. After that, things are a little less certain. But the good news is that where and when I get to play over the next few months isn’t completely out of my hands. For example, a top-five finish in Johannesburg will see me into the Abu Dhabi Championship the following week. So that is a big incentive.

Realistically, however, I can see myself getting maybe 20 starts on the European Tour this season, mostly in the smaller events. The bad news there is that the prize money isn’t as big; the good news is that the fields are typically not as strong. So if I play well, or at least to my capabilities, I am confident that I will be back on tour in 2009 with my full playing privileges restored.

In the meantime, however, there is much work to be done and a lot of golf to be played. In the weeks when I am not eligible for the European Tour, I intend to compete on the Challenge Tour. Again, I am looking on that as an opportunity. If I win three Challenge events, I will automatically be promoted to the full tour. And, failing that, a high finish on the year-end money list would also see me getting my card back.

So there is much to play for. I’ll keep you posted as to how I get on