WILTSHIRE champion Ben Stow believes he has every chance of making it into the European Tour and turning pro by the end of the year.

The 19-year-old amateur, who lives in East Knoyle, south of Warminster, finished tied 20th at the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire, last week.

Stow, who is currently studying Tournament Golf at Plymouth University, booked his place in the second stage and has his sights set on becoming one of the 30 players to earn a place on Europe’s elite tour at the final stage at the PGA Cataluyna Resort in Spain on December 15.

“To be honest, I didn’t think that I played that well at Frilford and I wasn’t really blown away by anything that I saw there,” said Stow, a member of the Rushmore club on the Dorset border.

“I’ve spoken to my coach (Terry Casey) and already planned that if I get through to the tour, then I’ll turn pro, but if not, I’ll probably stay as an amateur for two years and go for the Walker Cup.”

Stow was named in the England Golf Union’s elite squad for the first time – something that he will have to give up if his European Tour dream becomes reality.

“I was in the England ‘A’ squad a few years ago – I’ve had such a good year and I’m still happy to get picked,” he said.

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