WESTHOUGHTON’S new head professional, Ian Gregory, has won his playing card for the PGA EuroPro Tour.

A former junior member at the Long Island club, 28-year-old Gregory returned to Westhoughton two months ago when he took up his professional role, and expressed his intention to gain his tour card.

He achieved that goal at the recent PGA EuroPro Tour qualifying school held at Frilford Heath Golf Club, near Oxford, where he got his foot on the ladder of the lucrative professional tour.

Keen eyed viewers to the Soccer AM TV programme may have noticed the leader board after the second round of the qualifying event showing Gregory lying third while the programme focused on former Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard’s attempt to kick off a second sporting career.

Gregory, who was six when he first attended junior golf lessons at Westhoughton, survived a few nerves in the final round before hanging on to secure his card for this year.

“I am delighted with this,” he said. “It is only the first stage in the process and now the hard work starts both to secure the card for next year and, hopefully, to move up to the second tier, the PGA European Challenge Tour.

“I hope to play in the maximum number of events I can, subject to being able to obtain sponsorship to cover entry and other costs, and of course would be pleased to accept help from any readers and local companies who wish to help and raise the profile of local golf.”

He added: “Of course, this has to mesh in with my day job of teaching golfers.

“I am just as excited with the progress being made in early season competitions and in obtaining handicap reductions by my students at the club.”

John Coupe, Westhoughton club captain, paid tribute to Gregory.

“This is one of the early highlights of my year as captain,” he said.

“Ian’s hard work, both with his own game and that of teaching students, is paying dividends.

“Any support we can provide him in fulfilling his dream, we will.

“We know his father, Colin, who has been a member at Westhoughton for 29 years now, will be equally proud. However, no one wants to be drawn against them in a future ‘father and son’ tournament!”