Meet the graduates: Sam Walker

Can I afford to do this anymore? Am I good enough? Should I just retire? Hard to believe Sam Walker asked himself such questions this summer – and now he heads into 2017 in the form of his life.

Injuries and poor form had left the father of one questioning whether he still had the hunger for professional golf, but the 38 year old made a late decision to travel to Finland to compete on the European Challenge Tour in August – one last throw of the dice.

What followed was an incredible run including two victories, four further top ten finishes and a return to the European Tour.

“I was close to retiring this summer,” said the Englishman. “I just couldn’t keep going on the Challenge Tour spending money when I had a family to support and I was in need of another income.

“I was looking into setting up a driving range with a friend where I would work as a coach and I was starting to warm to the idea to be honest.

“Then someone asked me if I was going to play in Finland and I really wasn’t sure as I had been injured. The last minute decision paid off though as I went on to go and win there.

“That was a huge turning point for me, and as a result of that the last few months were very different for me.

“Everything just fell into place. My driving, chipping and putting were all better and the momentum just kept rolling like a snowball. Everything felt a lot easier than it had been before.

“I then went to the Rolex Trophy and shot ten under and I felt as though my confidence was building all the time.

“I kept rising up the Rankings and everyone was saying to me you just need one more win then you’re guaranteed a card. To do that in Kazakhstan was huge and was such a proud moment for me.

“Overall I am over the moon and can’t wait to get started on the European Tour. I feel like I am now a much better player and I know exactly what I need to do next season.”

A career as a professional sportsman was always on the cards for Walker. His brother Josh was once on the books of Manchester United, his footballing father Tim played in England’s Conference, while his cousin Tom Whitehouse has also competed on the European Tour.

With such strong sporting pedigree in his genes, it was only fitting that England’s Walker was one of his country’s finest players as a junior.

“I started playing golf when my uncle gave me some clubs when I was six,” he said. “I just started off playing in the back garden and as soon as I started swinging I knew I wanted to play.

“I got my handicap down to one when I was ten and someone said to my dad ‘he’s a potential talent and we need to go a bit further’. I got picked for the England Schools team when I was 11, the youngest player to ever do that, and I won all my games.

“After that it all started to kick on as you get invited to tournaments and doors start to open for you when you are in the England set up.

“Growing up I always admired players like Seve Ballesteros, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus – just all of the greats really. They were so inspiring and after seeing clips of them playing so well it makes  you want to go out there and copy them.”

Now back on the European Tour, Walker will be hoping he can emulate his hero the ‘Golden Bear’, a serial winner who proved you can still play golf of the highest calibre in your 40s.