Mark Kerr looks on Tour School

costs as an investment

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Edinburgh golfer Mark Kerr is bracing himself for a hefty hit in the pocket but admits he's looking at the cost of entering the European Tour Qualifying School as an investment.
Kerr, who has just secured a top-ten finish on this season's Tartan Tour Order of Merit, is among seven Lothians players due take part in the first stage of the gruelling examination next week.They've all forked out £1,350 entry fee and Kerr, who is attached to Marriott Dalmahoy, knows from experience how costly it can be once players get closer to securing one of those cherished Tour cards.
"I got to the second stage last year and it cost me just over £3,000 all in," he said. "I suppose you've got to look at it as an investment, though, and I'd be daft not to try my luck, especially when my form this year has been pretty good."
Kerr, in fact, has arguably been the most improved player on the Scottish circuit this season, the two-times losing finalist in the Lothians Championship securing sixth spot on the final Order of Merit.
"All in all, I've had a successful campaign and I'd probably say the highlight was finishing in a tie for fourth at Gleneagles (in the Scottish Professional Championship," he reflected.
"It was disappointing that I missed out on the Srixon Play-offs at the end of the year as there are five European Tour starts up for grabs in those. However, I am hopeful that, by finishing sixth in Scotland, I will earn a place in next year's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, though that may depend on what happens with the invites."
Kerr starts his Tour School bid at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire next Tuesday and hopes to pass that test with flying colours before turning his thoughts back to the EuroPro Tour.
"Having come through the qualifying at Dundonald last year, I'm confident I can do so again and I certainly hope I will as I'm desperate to get another crack at the second stage in Spain," he added.
"I'm also starting to focus on the EuroPro Tour again but will need to win either the event at Fairmont St Andrews next month or the Tour Championship after that to earn one of the spots on next season's Challenge Tour."
John Gallagher, Lee Harper, Mark Hillson, Shaun McAllister, Lloyd Saltman and Zack Saltman are the other Lothians players due to be in action in Stage 1, either at Dundonald next week or The Oxfordshire the week after.