Chasing his dream... top amateur Macarthur has joined professional ranks
THE COUNTY OPEN CHAMP INVITED TO PLAY IN EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT IN AUSTRIA
FREDDIE Macarthur (Ullesthorpe Court), the reigning County Open champion and a first team regular, has turned professional, writes Jennifer Prentice.
He is competing in his first pro event this week at Brocket Hall Golf Club.
This is on the Clutch Tour where he will focus his attention this summer while gaining more experience in the paid ranks.
But he has already received an invitation to compete in a European Challenge Tour tournament in Austria in July and is hoping to get more invites.
Macarthur started playing golf at Ullesthorpe Court 15 years ago.
He graduated from university with a degree in psychology, but all the while has been practising hard and plotting a possible life as a professional golfer.
Macarthur said: “I am extremely fortunate in having attracted a sponsor who will back me for two years which will be a tremendous help while I see if I enjoy playing as a fulltime golfer and can make a real impression.
“I appreciate the competition will be extremely fierce and there may will be a degree of stress and disappointment to come my way.
“But turning pro has always been at the back of my mind for several years now and with attracting the support of a locally-based industrial company, and the fact I have been achieving some success as an amateur, means it is the right time for me to see if I enjoy the life and the challenges involved and can do well.
“In the last year or so I have gone through to the Open Championship for the final qualifying stages twice which is pretty difficult for an amateur – although I have never played in the Open itself – and my handicap has come down to plus 5 at its lowest ranking.
“So I have been progressing. Now with the knowledge I have completed my degree and have got some financial backing, I feel it’s the right time to make the big decision to join the paid ranks.
“I aim to give myself up to two years to see how I get on and if I enjoy the life as a professional.
“If not, I will apply for reinstatement as an amateur.
“But at least I will have given myself the chance to chase my dream.”
Macarthur, also a member of Lutterworth GC, won the 2023 County Open in a field of top local amateurs at The Leicestershire last August on a sunny but very windy day.
He carded three under par 67 followed by six under 64 to win on his 131 aggregate.
It was his first major county amateur title and he finished ten storkes clear of his nearest rival.
A week ago, Macarthur was joint top in a three-way tie at the county’s Spring Tournament for the Robin Fraser Trophy.
The tournament was cut to 36 holes at Hinckley GC with the final two rounds at Longcliffe cancelled because of torrential rain.