on Alps Tour
I turned pro in September 2005 with a handicap of +3 being top 3 of amateur ranking in Austria. To reach the eligibility to play on Alps Tour again was first successful mission: the perfect boost for my professinal rookie year. In my first national event on Alps Tour in 2006 season I shot the perfect stroke, holing out for an ALBATROS on the last hole of the the tournament, the final Par 5 on Golfresort Waidhofen course. Luckily a national broadcast TV team was right there and filmed the best iron 4 of my life. I finished 6th this week which was my best result these days as a professional. The whole year was running well with a 10th position in final ranking. In the following year 2007 I finished 10 times inside the top 10 out of 19 tournamnets. It was a great season and the result of consequent work with Ralph Hagen, Gordon Manson and the National Golf Team. With 2nd place in the 2007 Alps Tour Order of Merit I got the eligibility to play on Europenan Challenge Tour for 2008 season. There wasn't victory yet, but I was sure it will be just a matter of time. Heading to Europenan Tour Q-School in the same year, I could qualify for Final Stage in San Roque Club and play for my Europenan Tour Card till last round, gaining category 14 on Main Tour.
on Challenge Tour
Since 2008 I am playing on Europenan Challenge Tour which is stepping stone to the Europenan Tour. My game was improving well and the work I spend together with Fred Jendelid and Anders Forsbrand, coaching the Austrian National Golf Team, paid off. At that time I was playing for the Golfclub FONTANA beside Austrian's No. 1 player Markus Brier. All those circumstances, the work with my coach Ralph Hagen and my focus to improve created a successful start on Europenan Challenge Tour and 28th place in the Final Order of Merit in 2009. Sofar it was my best season and the closest I have been to qualify for Main Tour. Over 3 years I had already the eligibility to play there as well, but was not able to get a full card, missed it 2009 just by one shot at Final Stage of European Tour Q-School. A result of 423 shots (5 under par) should not be enough after 6 hard tournament days at PGA Golf de Catalunya. At the beginning of season 2011 I was able to almost win my first international big tournament in France. Only Philip Archer was one shot better than me in the week of ALLIANZ Open Cotes d'Armor 2011. I started into the tournament with two rounds of 65 shots, which gave me a 4 shot halfway lead, but a 69 on the moving day was not enough. Philip shot a great 61 and I had to challenge again in final round. Finally I become 2nd under rainy stormy conditions. Together with Florian Prägant I had the possibility to represent Austria and play the Qualifyer for the OMEGA MISSION HILLS WORLD CUP 2011. Both of us were ranked around 400th place in the World Golf Ranking and we realized our chance. A score of 24 under par brought us the victory and a ticket for the OMEGA MISSION HILLS WORLD CUP. It was such an amazing week and we where holding the Austrian flag high. At the main event in Haikou in China we finally become 20th. Beside great memories we realized how less the differences are to the top players of the world. Especially the first day, where we played with Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, was probably one of the most exciting days of my professional career. In the same year I moved to Graz and was lucky to get attached by Golfclub Murhof, which is the No.1 address for golf in Styria and such a great place to practice and play. I am really pleased to be a member of the team there. It is a pleasue to use all the great facilities, delicious food, relax & wellness, a challenging golfcourse and the feeling to be like home out there ...