European qualifiers second stage

THE second stage of the European Tour’s qualifying school takes place this week in Spain with 252 players competing. Matches will be played at three venues for a place at next week’s six round final stage, where the top 30 players (plus ties) will win a place on the 2006 European Tour.

Before the final stage, those 252 players have to negotiate four rounds at either the Emporda Golf Club, the Golf Costa Ballena or the PGA de Catalunya in Spain, starting today, to secure a place at the San Roque Club from November 10-15 to win a place on The European Tour.

Among the 252 golfers vying for places at the final stage will be the six winners of the first stage competitions in England, France, Germany and Italy. In England, Welshman Gareth Wright secured first place at Carden Park Golf Club, Sweden’s Christian Nilsson won at Chart Hills Golf Club and Henrik Bjornstad of Norway claimed first position at St Anne’s Old Links.

Denmark’s Michael Jurgensen won at the Golf de Moilets in France, while German amateur Martin Kaymer took first place at the Golf-Und Land-Club Köln before Frenchman Anthony Snobeck came out on top in Italy at the Circolo Golf Bogogno.

Eleven Irishmen are hoping to come through this phase, with 10 playing at the Golf Costa Ballena in Cadiz: Jimmy Bolger; Eamon Brady; Darren Crow; Noel Fox; John Kelly; Michael McGeady; Chris Moriarty; David Mortimer; Alan Murray and Dan Sugrue.

Greg Boden will attempt to come through four rounds at the PGA Golf de Catalunya course in Barcelona.