Stafford golfer tees up chance of lifetime
Stafford golfer Dan Kirkwood cannot wait for the Abu Dhabi Championship, stating: "This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for me."
The 31-year-old, who grew up in Baswich and now lives in Abu Dhabi, is set to compete alongside the likes of world number one Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.
The event – part of the European Tour – started today with Kirkwood completing his round with a two over-par 74 in the United Arab Emirates.
Kirkwood was a member at Ingestre Park Golf Club for the best part of seven years, and said: "I'm absolutely buzzing about it, I'm sure they'll be a few nerves creeping in by the time the big day arrives though.
"My Dad and my brothers are flying out for the tournament week, so that's going to make it extra special.
"It's going to be huge challenge and a massive step up in quality but this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for me so I'm just going to try and enjoy every minute of it."
Kirkwood went to Walton High School and works as a maths teacher.
He moved to Abu Dhabi two years ago for work, and joined Yas Links Golf Club.
"My Grandad was one of the founding members of the club and he first took me down when I was 11," said Kirkwood.
"I then joined the following year and was a member until the age of 18 when I went away to Loughborough University.
"I came out to Abu Dhabi in 2016 after accepting a job as a maths teacher at Brighton College.
"The golf was a major reason behind coming out here, the weather is fantastic most of the year and Yas Links is an amazing place to play golf.
"I think the excellent condition of the courses out here and the extra playing time that the weather allows has enabled me to improve my game, this is reflected in an improvement of my handicap from scratch to +2."
Kirkwood will be caddied by his brother, Mark, at the big event.
He beat some of the world's leading amateurs to qualify.
"Did I think I has a chance of qualifying? Honestly, I didn't think I had a cat in hells chance," he added.
"I had friends and work colleagues asking about the competition and the potential of me winning a place at the Abu Dhabi Open and I laughed it off as almost impossible given the quality of the players in the qualifying event.
"I think I quoted a mate 500/1, thank god they didn't take me up on it.
"To shoot two under par at that course (Saadiyat GC) as long as it played in the wind that day was a very good round, where everything just seemed to go right for me."
