Golf: Saltman is impatient to progress to Challenge Tour

ELLIOT SALTMAN was teeing off his EuroPro Tour season in Norfolk today but admits he could change his focus to the Alps Tour later in the year.

The Aegon player has already secured starts in forthcoming events on the Alps circuit in Austria and Slovenia and is keeping his options open at the moment. His target this season is to earn a step up to the Challenge Tour next year and he's not fussy how he does that.

"There are a lot more events on the Alps Tour and the only difference is that involves a bit more travelling," said Saltman.

"In addition to the events in Austria and Slovenia, I'm also playing in one in Italy in a few weeks and, depending on the starts I make, I may end up concentrating on the Alps Tour later in the season."

Boosted by a victory on the Hi5 Tour in Spain over the winter, Saltman, who was down seeing coach Bob Torrance for some fine-tuning last week, was champing at the bit as he set out today in the opening event of the EuroPro Tour, the Motocaddy Masters at Wensum Valley in Norwich.

And, after agonisingly missing out on one of the Challenge Tour cards up for grabs last season, the Archerfield Links man is determined to make no mistake this time around.

"I know I'm improving all the time but I'm sick and tired of leaving things to the last minute, so I'm setting out this year with a totally different aim," he said.

"I want to get three wins in the first three months so that I can get the order of merit position done and dusted.

"If I can do that, I can maybe start to get some invites for the Challenge Tour and move onto bigger things.

"My win in Spain was definitely a nice boost and I know my game is strong enough to do what I need to do this season – either on the EuroPro Tour or the Alps Tour."

Also competing at Wensum Valley this week are Craigielaw's Shaun McAllister and Lee Harper of Archerfield Links.