Devon golfer Paul Hendriksen came within a stroke of winning the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship, in association with FootJoy, 10 months ago and that has made him more determined to do better this year.
The 28-year-old, from Fingle Glen near Exeter, bogeyed the final hole in the final at The London Club to allow Middlesbrough's Jonathan Lupton to win by one.
Hendriksen views that performance in a positive rather than negative light but would dearly like to go one better this time around. However, first he has to get through the regional qualifier at Taunton Vale on Monday - an event he finished joint first in 12 months ago.
"I was quite happy with the result in the final but disappointed to bogey the last to miss out by a shot," said Hendriksen.
"I was trying my best and I was quite pleased as I was trying to win it.
"I gave myself a chance. This year I may be able to push on and try to get closer."
Hendriksen, who has been at Fingle Glen for two and a half years, was impressed by his experience in the final and is keen for a return to test himself against the best in Britain and Ireland.
"It was the first time I had played in it but the tournament was really well run," he added.
"The golf course is superb and I'm really looking forward to trying to get back there - but I've got to qualify first.
"I really enjoyed it last year - the greens were the best I played on all season and definitely the best I have played on in this country.
"The standard was pretty good. The top guys are good and there is some good competition.
"I am out to play against the best so if I can get good results against the best all the better.
"There are also some good players in the qualifier but my game is all right.
"I have had some reasonably good results this year, winning a couple of pro-ams and been pretty consistent.
"I've not quite hit top form yet but I haven't had my worst form yet."
Barry Forster, who was the joint winner of the 2007 qualifier with Hendriksen, wants to book a return to the final to put right a disappointing appearance last year.
The 23-year-old from North Wilts Golf Club struggled in the poor weather last August and failed to make the cut in the 54-hole event.
"It was kind of tough as the weather was not good and then at the start of the second round I began with an eight," he said.
"Hopefully I can qualify again - I did last year without a practice round.
"My game is just starting to pick up and there's about a one-in-four chance of getting through.
"The standard in the final was at another level as a lot of the guys there are quite capable of getting their (European) Tour card and a lot of them are full-time players."
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.