CARUS Green Golf Club resident and European senior tour winner Gary Wolstenholme is heading into the new golf season with an extra spring in his step – after receiving confirmation of his 2019 tour card.

Following a seventh-place finish at last month’s MCB tour championship in Mauritius and 22nd place at Constance Lemuria in the Seychelles, he has been guaranteed full playing privileges for next year, when he will also be able to play at the British Senior Open at Royal Lytham.

“Having been in a very precarious position on the order of merit, I came into the final three events in Spain, Mauritius and the Seychelles under pressure and knowing that I needed strong finishes,” said Gary. “I was in 27th place before I played in Benidorm and knew there were eight or nine guys who could easily have finished above me.”

Finishing 10 under par on the final round in Mauritius enabled him to manoeuvre himself into a more solid position.

“I played well in Mauritius. The course is tight and tricky which suits my play. A good finish enabled me to create a bit of a buffer ahead of the Seychelles,” he said.

“I’m pleased to have finished the year with a degree of certainty and to have achieved what I have throughout the year, but I’m going to have to continue to deliver to compete. We’re now seeing a fresh wave of talent coming into the tour and the standard is getting higher each year. You have to be on your toes to be able to compete effectively.”