SIMON Eaton has lost count of the amount of times he's considered quitting a career in golf.

But the wheel of fortune may be about to turn full circle for the Burnley assistant as he prepares for a crack at a European Tour Card next month.

The 23-year-old, who won the North Region assistants' league last year, admits the struggle to make the breakthrough into the professional ranks nearly forced him out of the game altogether a while ago.

But all that could become a distant memory if he makes the final stages of the European Tour School in Spain later this year.

Eaton must finish in the top 30 after four rounds when the first stage of the Tour School tees off at Wynyard in Durham next month.

And provided he's successful, he will then go out to Spain where he'll join the scrap for a full European Tour Card along with the rest of Europe's hopefuls.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," said Eaton.

"I've always wanted to get on the European Tour and play golf for a living.

"But it's hard work trying to become a full-time professional. "I can't remember the number of times I've been down to the police and fire stations to pick up forms about jobs in the past.

"I used to work six days a week in the club shop and that left me with very little time to practice.

"It's even harder for some of the younger lads now because they've got to pay something like £5,000 over three years for all the exam fees.

"But although it's a hard slog, I'm glad I've done it."

Thanks to the help of his sponsors, Eaton has been free to enter more competitions this season.

And he's repaid their faith with some impressive displays over the course of the summer.

Earlier this month, he shot a 65 to equal the course record in a Pro-Am at Burnley - only for someone else to beat it a couple of hours later.

But it was his performance in the De Vere Hotels PGA North Region championship at Herons Reach two weeks ago which really caught the eye.

A triple bogey on the 15th saw him floundering in 84th position after the opening round.

But he battled back with brilliant rounds of 66 and 69 to finish 11th overall, which means he has automatically qualified for the same competition again next year as well as the prestigious Leeds Cup. And that could also open the door to more opportunities on the North Region professional circuit.

"I'm pretty happy with my golf at the moment.

"I didn't play particularly well in the first round at Herons Reach but I managed to fight back which was pleasing.

"I think I'm about nine or 10 over par for my last four or five rounds, so things are going in the right direction."

That should stand Eaton in good stead for his trip to the North East next month.

And then once he gets the Tour School out of the way, he's planning to spend some of the winter in America, where he hopes to enter a few events while he's out there.

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