Staffordshire teenager Steve Courtney is in his first year among the professional ranks but his season has begun well and he is looking forward to testing himself against the best.
Having already finished joint 10th in the first Midlands Region Order of Merit event earlier this month the 19-year-old moves on to the qualifier for the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship, in association with FootJoy, at Whittlebury Park next Wednesday (May 28).
And boosted by his finish at the Glazerite Trophy in the Order of Merit Courtney is looking forward to challenge posed by his peers.
"I played at Kedleston Park (in pre-qualifying for the Midlands Masters) and didn't play that well," said Courtney, who made the switch to assistant professional six months ago having previously worked in the shop at The Chase Golf Club.
"But then I went to Wellingborough for the Glazerite and came 10th and picked up a bit of money as well.
"It was a pretty good result. I shot three over in the morning and two under in the afternoon - and even then I missed about four birdie putts from six feet."
Having gone up against the region's best in the Order of Merit event, Courtney knows he will have to maintain his form if he is to make it The London Club for the Powerade final in August.
"This is my first year as an assistant professional and the standard is pretty good," he added.
"Qualifying for the final is the main thing and we'll go for there. The final sounds really good."
Greg Rogula is also playing in his first Powerade qualifier and he is hoping to be able to turn it on when the competition hots up, having just returned to action from surgery.
"I've not played a great deal to be honest as I had a hernia operation about a month ago," said the 23-year-old, who is at Westwood Golf Club near Leek.
"You don't lose your swing as much, it is more your chipping and putting that go.
"I'm hoping for the best, if I get there (the final) that will be a bonus."
Rogula performed well in the region's assistants' Order of Merit last year so he knows all about competing against his closest rivals.
"I am looking forward to it. I had a top-10 finish in the Order of Merit last year - it was not too bad but I'm hoping to do better this year," he added.
The PGA Assistants' Championship, which has a £5,000 first prize, has had some notable winners with former Ryder Cup captain Dai Rees winning in 1935 and 1936, the 'Voice of Golf' Peter Allis claiming the title in '52, Open and US Open champion Tony Jacklin in '65 and Barry Lane in '83.