2016 highlights: Challenge Tour pictures of the year

The European Challenge Tour visited 21 countries in 2016 - here are some of the best photos from each of them.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Kenya</span></strong>

In the searing Nairobi heat, one man keeping cool was teenager Mathew Wahome, whose opening 69 put him in the top ten after round one.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Egypt</span></strong>

The Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties announced the arrival of Jordan Smith on the Road to Oman - he went on to have a pretty good year...

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Spain</span></strong>

Marcus Armitage keeps his eye on the ball at the Challenge de Madrid - he would ultimately finish 12th in the Rankings and earn European Tour graduation.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Turkey</span></strong>

Swing when you're winning - Clément Sordet picked up his second career Challenge Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Challenge.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Italy</span></strong>

Two visits to Italy this season, the first of which was dominated by the celebrations of Rome being awarded hosting duties for The Ryder Cup in 2022.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Czech Republic</span></strong>

Damien Perrier sparkled his way to success in the D+D REAL Czech Challenge.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Switzerland</span></strong>

What could be more Swiss than an Alpine view at the Rolex Trophy?

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Belgium</span></strong>

Thomas Detry turned professional at his home event, the KPMG Trophy, and gave notice of his potential star power by inviting along his best mate Thomas Pieters.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">France</span></strong>

Three trips to France this year, and some of the best views of the season in Pléneuf at the Cordon Golf Open.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Scotland</span></strong>

Champagne moment after an emotional win for James Heath at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Denmark</span></strong>

The Made in Denmark Challenge - Presented by Ejner Hessel gave us our first look at Ashton Turner's interesting technique for lining up his putts.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Slovakia</span></strong>

The picturesque Penati Resort played host to a fantastic contest at the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge in July.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Northern Ireland</span></strong>

The conclusion of one of the rounds of the season as Tayto Northern Ireland Open in partnership with Ulster Bank champion Ryan Fox plays into the final hole surrounded by thousands in the grandstands - his closing 62 gave him a four-shot victory.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Sweden</span></strong>

The Challenge Tour returned to Sweden in 2016 and paid its first visit to the breathtaking Katrineholms GK.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Finland</span></strong>

One of the stars of the 2016 season, Romain Langasque once again went close to a maiden victory at the Vierumӓki Finnish Challenge, ultimately taking his third runner-up finish of the year.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">England</span></strong>

The handsome clubhouse of Heythrop Park Resort, host of the Bridgestone Challenge in August.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Ireland</span></strong>

Ryder Cup royalty paid a visit to the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort as victorious 2014 captain Paul McGinley stopped by to watch the next wave of potential stars.

<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Kazakhstan</strong></span>

An emotional victory for Sam Walker in the stunning surroundings of Almaty's Zhailjau Golf Resort - his victory, a second of the year, secured his return to the European Tour for the 2017 season.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">China</span></strong>

After the storm-hit Hainan Open was reduced to 36 holes, the subsequent Foshan Open was also subject to heavy rain at the start of the week - fortunately the tournament days were fine, but it did not stop Liu Chun from practising.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Ras Al Khaimah</span></strong>

To mark our first visit to the northernmost of the United Arab Emirates, we took Jurrian van der Vaart, Joel Sjӧholm and Sandro Piaget to the top of Jebel Jais - the tallest mountain in the UAE - for a unique take on the 'High Tee' concept.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Oman</span></strong>

To launch the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in memorable style, the Rankings top three of Jordan Smith, Alexander Knappe and Ryan Fox took a boat trip along the Muscat coast - and could not resist hitting some balls towards Al Mouj Golf as they passed.