Hans on deck as Chris irons out his big ambition
CHRIS Hanson says he is still hungry for success on the European Tour, but admits he has thought about whether it was time to call it quits.
The 34-year-old Woodsome Hall attached pro revealed he didn’t enjoy playing last year, and has taken time out over the winter to decide his future.
However, Hanson – who played in the 2014 Open Championship and has four professional victories to his name – says he still does have the appetite to compete at the highest level.
“I’m not going to lie, I felt a bit lost, I didn’t know what I wanted but all I did know is I needed a break to find out,” said the Huddersfield golfer in his latest blog.
“It had been a tough year on the course, there is no hiding that, and I’ve never been one to hide my emotions either, but this time I just curled under a rock and sat it out.
“I needed some free time from golf, to be with my family, and on the rare occasion when I did play golf it was just for fun.
“I didn’t play well and I really didn’t enjoy being on the road.
“So, taking a back seat for two months sure made me ask myself some serious questions, and also made me answer plenty of questions from the closest to me.
“At times I didn’t have the answers. Did I want it? What are you going to do?
“The biggest response I got was ‘you’re too good not to play.’ “And I agree, but that didn’t matter if I didn’t want it, but I do!
“I’m a golfer, I’m a very good professional golfer, I’ve played the highest level in Europe for three consecutive seasons, played a Major Championship, had chances to win European Tour events and competed with and beaten some of the best in the world.
“But what gets you wanting to stand back out there in the cold through the winter, make those changes and be patient until the start of the season?
“Simple answer…there is unfinished business. I have my goals, I have my ambitions, so let’s get stuck in and see where we are at the end of the year.”
As well as mulling over his future, big Huddersfield Giants fan Hanson has spent the off-season setting up a mini-Tour in the north of England along with Adam Walker. The 22-event schedule includes events throughout England and the north, the first of which is on February 22 at Huddersfield Golf Club.
I have my ambitions, so
let’s get stuck in and see where we are at the
end of the year