Davis chomping at the bit ahead of Turkey sizzler

Michael Davis admits qualification for the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final has ensured he’s once again been “bitten by the bug” of competitive golf.

At the start of 2014 the South Beds PGA Professional had pledged to dedicate more of his time to playing the game, and followed it through by competing in the regional qualifier at John O’Gaunt with club captain Martin McDermott.

To the duo’s surprise, not only did they go to the regional qualifier and compete – they won.

As a result they will now line up as part of a ten-team field for the grand final over Antalya Golf Club’s PGA Sultan Course on November 26-27.

It will be a first PGA final for both Davis and the club, where he has worked for the last seven years.

The £25,000 championship, which was shared by pairings from Kedleston Park and Windermere last November, will be held at Antalya for the fifth consecutive year.

“It’s an excellent field,” Davis admitted. “I wouldn’t say I expect us to go there and win, we didn’t even necessarily expect to make it through the qualifier.

Davis’ lack of tournament golf since he turned pro can be attributed to two key elements of his life.

At the club he plays a central role in the retail and coaching sides of the business, while at home he wants to ensure he still makes plenty of time to spend with his young family.

“The family and work are things that you have to make time for,” Davis explained.

“But I got to the start of the year and was looking back on what sorts of things made me want to have a career in golf – playing was a big part of that.

“In this game you get what you deserve and I know, even now, that I have to be practising more if I want to go to events and compete.

“On occasion in the past I would go in feeling like I was an also-ran before I’d even started. I didn’t like that and looking to next year I want to keep on ensuring that when I’m playing, I’m competing.

“The win in the qualifier alone has made sure I’ve been bitten by the bug again, and going out to Turkey is going to be an incredible experience.”

Not that 51-year-old retired accountant McDermott, above, who plays off a handicap of 17, will allow him to rest on his laurels.

“Of the two of us he’s probably the more competitive,” he suggested.

“You can always see that he wants to win when he’s out on the course whereas I feel a bit more understated – we complement each other well.

“Don’t get me wrong though, we’re going out there to compete and I’m sure Martin wouldn’t have it any other way.”