Ronan Mullarney feels he is ready to make the step up to the Challenge Tour next season after a very consistent year on the Alps Tour saw him top the Order of Merit after the Grand Final.
Mullarney was already guaranteed his Challenge Tour playing rights after picking up two Alps Tour wins this term and entered the Grand Final at the summit of the Order of Merit and a 20th place finish after a closing 67 in Asolo Golf Club ensured he could not be caught at the top.
It’s quite the reward for the Galway man who was one of the players left in limbo after the closure of the EuroPro Tour last winter and it seemed likely he would miss out on an Alps Tour card after a poor start to Q-School. He recovered to get his status and immediately set his sights on promotion to Europe’s second-tier and he achieved that goal with ease.
“Absolutely this was one of my goals from the beginning of the year,” smiled Mullarney. “As much as it is great being on the Alps Tour, tons of nice people, I’m glad to be off the Alps Tour and move on to the next step. I was happy with my golf this year, I feel ready to compete there. I was able to play a few Challenge Tour events before and I was able to step up my game so now I’m ready.”
When asked about his experience playing on the Alps Tour he added: “The standard of the Alps Tour is extremely high. The courses are great, and it’s a good test of your game.
“I’ve had a really consistent year to be honest. If it was a case of two or three wins and a rake of missed cuts that would drive me nuts but on third tier golf that’s a better way of doing it because it is so top heavy with prizes and points but it would have driven me nuts so yeah I am happy with how consistent I have been and it’s only the first step on the ladder.”
Mullarney will now turn his attentions to the Second Stage of DP World Tour Q-School next month where he will be joined by fellow Alps Tour pro Paul McBride who missed out on the Grand Final playoff by a shot.
“DP World Tour Q-School is the golden ticket,” Mullarney affirmed.
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