Golf is in the blood for Oliver Farr and the Welshman is hoping he can draw inspiration from his father and former professional Graham as he settles into his maiden Challenge Tour campaign.
The 26 year old earned his card for Europe’s second tier after topping the Rankings in the satellite EuroPro Tour last year, having won two of the final three events in 2013, so he entered his debut season on the Challenge Tour brimming with confidence.
He made the cut in the first event of the year at the Barclays Kenya Open but struggled at the weekend, before missing out on the last two days’ action at the Challenge de Catalunya.
As he prepares for the lucrative Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI next week, Farr knows he won’t have to delve too deep into his phone book for some advice on how to deal with the pressures of life on the road and among some of Europe’s top young players.
His father Graham has twice played in The Open Championship as a touring European Tour professional before becoming a teaching pro at Worcester Golf Club, where Oliver also spends much of his down time while also receiving coaching and valuable advice.
“My father was a very good club pro and played a couple of Open Championships and now he just teaches mostly so I've pretty much been around the game all my life,” said the former Welsh international amateur, who narrowly missed out on a place in the 2011 Walker Cup.
“When I was two he played The Open at St Andrews so I've always been around golf and I just followed him really. He’s my coach, always has been and when I was involved with the Welsh Golf Union the coaches worked well with my dad too, so he’s been a massive influence.
“I remember when we used to go on holidays in Florida he would go out and practice at seven in the morning and I would follow him so it’s a good relationship. It’s great, when I'm struggling with game, to have someone close to me at the end of the phone who knows what to do.”
In seven appearances on the Challenge Tour last year, Farr made four cuts including a top 15 finish at the D+D Real Czech Challenge Open so he knows he can cut it in his new arena. Now, he cannot wait to get going as the season really clicks into gear next week in Madeira, beginning a long run of consecutive events.
“I played seven events last year but this is my first full season on the Challenge Tour and I'm really looking forward to getting going,” he said.
“I didn’t do too much playing in the winter so it’s just about reminding yourself what you do well. I worked on a few things with my game which I felt needed to be worked on.
“I had a bit of rustiness in Kenya but to have a full planned-out schedule is great so I'm preparing myself for the season. I think I can make it into the top 15 this year. We’re all here for a reason and you don’t just get onto the Challenge Tour without being good enough. You have to get there.
“Everyone is good enough to do it. You just have to do it at the right time.”
