Team Scottish Hydro player, Chris Doak, has reflected on his maiden victory on the European Challenge Tour which has won him a place on next year’s European Tour.
The Scot emerged victorious on the third hole of a tense play-off, beating Dutchman Tim Sluiter courtesy of a three foot putt for a third successive par on the 18th after his Dutch counter-part missed an eight-footer for par following a wayward drive.
Chris Doak wins his first Challenge Tour title in France. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Doak had missed a golden opportunity to take the title outright at the end of regular play but missed a short putt at the 18th to record his only bogey of the day and sign for a five under par round of 66.
Prior to the event, Doak stood a good chance of securing a number of guaranteed starts on the 2013 European Tour, however his first place in the Allianz Golf Open de Lyon means that he can now plan out his season in advance giving himself the best preparation to perform on a Tour that each year becomes increasingly more demanding.
Over the past two years, Doak has been part of the Team Scottish Hydro initiative that has helped fund and advise the best emerging talent in the men’s and women’s professional game.
At 34, Doak knows how difficult it is to perform every week on the European Challenge Tour and he understands the sacrifices that sometimes need to be made to reach the top of the game.
“The Challenge Tour is becoming stronger every year as young and new talented players entering the professional ranks compete against some very experienced professionals for just a handful of places on the European Tour,” he said.
“I know how fortunate I have been to be a part of Team Scottish Hydro and I am grateful for the financial support and advice they have given me. Scottish Hydro’s support has allowed me to arrive at each event in a position where I am ready to perform at my best and I think that my results over the past two years have reflected this.”
Jonny Petrie, Sponsorship Manager for SSE said: “We are delighted for Chris and congratulate him on his success. He narrowly missed out on a European Tour place last year and we are pleased that his place on Team Scottish Hydro has helped him achieve his ambition of playing at the top level of the European game.”
Doak is now the second player from Team Scottish Hydro to win his place on the European Tour. He follows in the footsteps of Craig Lee who was one of the inaugural players offered support in 2011.
Petrie added: “Our aim has been to support the emerging talented professionals in Scottish golf and I hope that Chris’ success will encourage others to achieve their ambitions of playing at the highest level.”
