The Challenge Tour positions itself as the breeding ground for the best young golfing talent in Europe and beyond but that does not paint a full picture of its membership.
Along with the latest hotshots, players at the other end of the scale, looking to rekindle former glories after dips in form or unfortunate runs of injuries, will ply their trade on the Road to Oman in a bid to return to the European Tour.
Perhaps the most significant of these in 2017 is Michael Hoey, five times a champion in the Race to Dubai but, after a disappointing season last term where he made only six cuts in 28 events, now back on the Challenge Tour – from where he graduated in 2005.
One might expect the Northern Irishman, who has four Challenge Tour titles to his name, to be disappointed by this downturn in fortunes but, ahead of next week’s Turkish Airlines Challenge, the 38 year old was in a remarkably positive mood about the year to come.
“I’m just really enjoying playing golf and I’m probably more enthusiastic now than I’ve ever been,” he said. “In the past I’ve always been a bit confused about my swing but now I understand it more, and my putting, so I’m not burnt out at all.
“I might look my age but I don’t feel it – I’m forever 17 on tour! I’ve learned over the years what works for me, just simple stuff really, but I now understand what I’m doing a lot more, which is exciting.
“The swing is good, it’s always been ok, but now I kind of know why it is a little bit more, and it’s the same with my putting. Maybe if that wasn’t the case I’d be feeling a little more burnt out but I’m really excited about this season.”
Glimpses of the kind of game that took him to the very top of the European game were in evidence at the European Tour’s Hero Indian Open last month, with a top ten result offering a nice confidence boost ahead of the Road to Oman beginning in Kenya.
Now preparing for a visit to Gloria Golf Club, Hoey has been impressed by the level of talent he has seen on the Challenge Tour, and acknowledges how difficult it will be to regain a European Tour card through the top 15 of the Rankings.
“There’s really not much difference between here and the European Tour,” he said. “There’s almost three or four tours now – you’ve got a top 50 tour, a mainstay tour, the guys on the border, then the Challenge Tour, and I don’t really see much between them.
“You’ve got to putt well on all of them for starters. The courses may be set up a little bit easier on the Challenge Tour but that means you’ve got to have your short game going really, really well.
The boys showing myself & @selfridgec595 proper strength before @KenyaOpenGolf @Challenge_Tour pic.twitter.com/WzZ0b3Pocz
— Michael Hoey (@MikeHoeyNI) March 22, 2017
“I am really enjoying it so far. There’s a bunch of young, enthusiastic guys around, and I’ve been doing gym work with them – Chris Selfridge is very good, I’ve been working out with him a bit, but there’s plenty of guys to hang out with.
“My game is good as well, my putting’s good, I’m just trying to get everything together and I’m looking forward to the season really starting up now.
“Obviously top 15 is the goal. But I just want to be a little bit more consistent than last year – not consistent in missing cuts, but consistent in putting myself in decent positions in the tournaments and giving myself some chances!”
