Carus Green Golf Club resident and European Senior Tour winner Gary Wolstenholme MBE, has an extra reason for jubilation during the festive period.

Following a sixth-place finish at last week’s MCB tour championship at Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius, the popular player has been guaranteed complete playing privileges for next year with a fully exempt 2017 tour card.

Gary, who has described the 2016 season as ‘challenging’, shot 10 under with rounds of 70, 70 and 66, to finish in 13th place overall on the Order of Merit.

Despite the tail end of a cyclone in the Indian ocean and conditions which were extremely breezy, Gary improved on last year’s 7th place performance in Mauritius, with the tricky greens and tight design of the course suiting him well.

He said: “With this year’s introduction of a new system of qualification, I admit that it’s been a stressful season, but I am absolutely delighted to have a guaranteed place on next year’s tour. I’ve worked very hard this year and will continue to do so as this tour doesn’t get any easier. And with the on-going support of everyone at Carus, I’m facing the future with confidence.”

“We are all really thrilled for Gary and would like to congratulate him on an extraordinary year,” added Carus Green owner Graham Curtin. “A top 20 placing is what he has worked so hard for throughout the season and we will be following his progress in 2017 with great excitement.”