Mitchell achieves success in Rookie Year

Peter Mitchell’s hat-trick of victories on the European Seniors Tour this season has proved a timely reminder of just what can be achieved by a rookie ahead of a new batch of recruits trying to win their playing privileges for 2009 at Seniors Tour Qualifying School. The Englishman’s third win of the season at the Lake Garda Italian Seniors Open meant that he has claimed the most titles of any Seniors player in 2008, following his earlier victories at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open and the Scottish Seniors Open. It also made him the most prolific rookie since Carl Mason, who also won three times in 2003 in his maiden Seniors Tour season. Mason, of course, has gone on the become the all time leading career money winner on the Seniors Tour, clinching his 20th title at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open this year. That is now the benchmark for Mitchell following a fine debut year in which he equalled the number of victories he achieved in more than a quarter of a century on The European Tour. The 50 year old’s victory in Wales was also the biggest pay cheque of his career, en route to amassing season earnings of €215,082 so far with just one event, next month’s OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship, left to play. Despite these feats, Mitchell is likely to miss out on the Rookie of the Year award to Ian Woosnam, whom he also trails in the Order of Merit, as well as Bernhard Langer and Gordon J Brand. Mitchell’s exploits during his distinguished career on The European Tour meant he bypassed Qualifying School as an exempt graduate but for those aspiring Senior players without such history, next month offers the chance to compete against him and the other leading Senior professionals such as Langer, Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance and Woosnam. Portugal hosts the two stages of Qualifying School for those hopefuls looking to play on the European Seniors Tour in 2009, with the top 14 gaining playing privileges. The Qualifying campaign kicks off with Stage One held over two courses on Portugal’s Algarve - Pinheiros Altos Golf Club and Quinta de Cima Golf – from November 13 to 14. The Qualifying School Final will then be held at the Pinta Course, Pestana Golf Resort, from November 17 to 20, where the top six players will get a ranking in Category 6 for 2009. They will be guaranteed a start in all 72-player events for the season. Those finishing seventh through to 14th will get a ranking in Category 9, giving them a limited number of starts. This year is the 16th time Seniors Tour Qualifying School has taken place and the latest batch of hopefuls teeing up next month will also look to the success of Angel Franco for inspiration. The 50 year old from Paraguay was one of 17 players to emerge from Qualifying School last year and is currently enjoying a fine rookie season of his own, lying 11th in the Order of Merit with earnings of €113,305 after finishing tied runner up behind Mitchell in Jersey and Woosnam in the Russian Seniors Open. Franco said: "It is hard to believe it is almost a year since the Qualifying School. A lot has happened since then. It was a tough week but a good week for me because I got my card despite a bad last round. "There’s a lot of pressure at the School. There’s more than any other tournament because it means so much."