Nick is up for Challenge

WATH’S Nick Poppleton is relishing the opportunity to test his game against some of the most promising young players in Europe when he tees it up in the Bridgestone Challenge. He is one of four amateur golfers to receive an invitation from England Golf to the European Challenge Tour event at Luton Hoo from September 6-9.

Poppleton, 24, is eyeing a place in the paid ranks and said: “This should be a great benchmark for me to assess where my game is against some of the best players on the Challenge Tour.

“It should also provide some great insight on what I need to improve and move my game to the next level. Poppleton, who won the Brabazon Trophy in May, will be joined by fellow England internationals Jake Burnage, 23, from Saunton Golf Club, Devon, Tom Sloman, 22, from Taunton & Pickeridge, Somerset and Andrew Wilson, 24, from Darlington, Co Durham.

Poppleton told Yorkshire Golfer that his preparation will be much the same as for a top amateur event, but added: “It will be interesting to see how the course sets up.

“It’s a parkland layout and will probably be at its longest, but I still expect the scoring to be low because the quality of players is very high on the Challenge Tour.

“I have spent so much time playing links golf this year that I have lost count of how many stinger 2-irons I have hit.

“I doubt I will need that shot, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and testing my game at a different level .

“Nigel Edwards, England Golf Performance Director, said: “This is a great opportunity for Jake, Nick, Tom and Andrew to compete in the Bridgestone Challenge and test themselves against proven professionals.”

The Bridgestone Challenge is one of the biggest events on the European Challenge Tour schedule and is being hosted at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa for a second successive year. For the first time the Bridgestone Challenge will be screened live for three hours, via the Bridgestone Facebook page and the Blackstar Golf website on the final day of the event. Highlights and exclusive interviews will also be shared on the Bridgestone Facebook page throughout the competition week.