We take a look at some of the new faces appearing on this season’s Challenge Tour, starting with the top five from last year’s Alps Tour Order of Merit…
Guillaume Cambis
A colourful character, the classical music-loving Frenchman won the 2011 Alps Tour Order of Merit in his first season as a professional. Had to wait until October to claim his first victory, but promptly followed up with another win at the Sardinian Open one week later to secure his place at the top of the Rankings. Continued his fine form with victory in the Qualifying School Second Stage, before taking the tenth card at the Final Stage to complete a meteoric rise to the top tier of European golf. Will room with his best friend Romain Wattel on The European Tour this year.
Jason Barnes
Came close to gaining promotion to the Challenge Tour in 2010, but eventually finished in eighth place on the Alps Tour Order of Merit. Returned to the Satellite Tour last season and promptly picked up where he left off, winning the rain-affected Slovenian Golf Open – beating Guillaume Cambis into second place – on only his third start of the year. Subsequently added a trio of runner-up finishes to finish second on the Order of Merit and earn a first full season on the Challenge Tour in 2012.
Chris Paisley
A University of Tennessee graduate, he turned professional shortly after representing Great Britain & Ireland in the 2010 Walker Cup. Secured back to back victories on the Alps Tour at the start of last season, firstly at the Peugeot Tour de Valencia and then at the Peugeot Open de Catalunya. Thereafter he divided his time between the Alps and Challenge Tours, where a tied third finish at the Kärnten Golf Open presented by Mazda was his best performance. Later added a third Alps Tour title en route to finishing third on the Order of Merit, with five top three finishes in just eight starts. Will now play a full season on the Challenge Tour, where he will continue his tradition of always wearing a red shirt in the last round of tournaments.
Marco Crespi
The experienced Italian won twice on last season’s Alps Tour to take his overall tally of titles to five. Victories at Le Fonti Open and the Flory van Donck Trophy ensured a fourth place finish on the Order of Merit and secured a swift return to the Challenge Tour. This season, he will be aiming to better his highest Challenge Tour finish, a tie for fourth place at the 2007 Tessali-Metaponto Open di Puglia e Basilicata.
Scott Henry
Chose a career in golf over football, and the move looks to be a shrewd one after he earned a place on the Challenge Tour via the Alps Tour. The quietly-spoken Scotsman was a model of consistency last season, recording seven top eight finishes en route to finishing fifth on the Order of Merit. Captured his debut professional title in Austria, having finished third at the previous week’s Slovenian Golf Open.
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