Lancashire's Sam Punchard is doubly determined to make it through next month's North Region qualifier for the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship, in association with FootJoy, after missing out through injury last year.
The 22-year-old comfortably progressed 12 months ago but two weeks before the final at The London Club he fractured a hand.
He was so keen to play in the showpiece event he considered battling on with the injury and even tried to practise in the days leading up to it but was persuaded it would not be in his best interests.
Punchard still feels the disappointment at missing out and so will head to Knaresborough on July 7 looking to ensure he gets another chance.
"I had to pull out a week before because I'd fractured my hand," said the second-year assistant who has been at Nelson Golf Club for a year.
"The hospital didn't put a full pot on, only a soft one, and I wanted to try to play but my mum wouldn't let me!
"I tried to play a few shots but had to pull my hand off when I'd hit the ball.
"I was looking forward to it and had booked my hotels and everything. I even thought about going down there just to have a look but it was not really worth it with the distance and time involved.
"So I definitely want to qualify this time. My game has needed a bit of work as my takeaway was terrible and I was blocking everything to the right but I had a lesson with my boss - Simon Eaton - and he's sorted me out."
Another player looking to qualify for the final for the first time is Owston Hall's Jonathan Shipstone, the PGA's Rookie of the Year.
At 42 Shipstone is a latecomer to the professional ranks, having quit his job as a college lecturer to take up a career in golf a year ago.
He missed qualification by a shot 12 months ago and although this event is one of the biggest of the year for assistants, Shipstone is trying to remain pragmatic about it.
"To me it is just another qualifier. As I'm pretty new to golf - I've only been playing four years - I just love playing the game," said the Doncaster-based assistant, who finished fourth in last year's Yorkshire Assistants' on the same Knaresborough course.
"Three years ago I was playing off 11 and I worked hard on getting my handicap down and last year was my first playing competitive, professional golf.
"My boss is very good as I can enter and play in whatever I want. In a year's time I'll have to get a 'proper' (professional's) job so I won't have the opportunity to play as much as I do now."
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.