WELLOW'S David Porter has declared himself ready to take on the best players in Europe after winning the PGA Europro Tour qualifying school.

Rounds of 68, 72 and 70 over the Frilford Heath course in Oxfordshire brought the 23-year-old victory and the number one ranking going into this season's schedule of about 20 events.

"It's a great feeling," said Porter. "Conditions weren't great because of a cold wind and fog delays, but I kept my focus and managed to come through with the help of my caddy Neil Raymond.

"To be honest, I felt I had a lot more left in the tank and the victory underlined my belief that I've stepped up two levels since turning pro.

"This is most definitely the next step for me. It's nice to know I can compete at a higher level."

He's certainly ready, that's for sure.

After a glittering amateur career during which the Wellow head assistant pro had eight seasons at boys' and men's level playing for England and Great Britain, he turned professional and has enjoyed enormous success in the Hampshire PGA region, winning "15 or 16" times in the last two years.

Porter's immediate plans include participation in his first Europro Tour event next month in the Azures, which will be followed by a second event in Portugal before a return to England and the bulk of the tournaments this summer.

Daunting? Not for Porter, who confessed: "Even during my amateur days for England I felt I had the ability to play European Tour standard.

"I've been progressing each season and just feel that it's time to really go for it."

With regard to the North Baddesley resident's ultimate goal of a full European Tour card, it's a case of hedging his bets.

"If I finish in the top six on the Europro order of merit I'll win a Challenge Tour (golf's second division) spot for next season.

"That would be great as my career has been steadily moving along and the Challenge Tour is just another stepping stone as far as I'm concerned.

"However, I'm also having a crack at bypassing this step by attending the European Tour qualifying school in September."

Top tournament golf doesn't come cheap and Porter was keen to thank the members at Wellow for their support. "Ian Weekes and Sue Lambelle organised a fundraising weekend at the start of this month to help with the cost of competing this season, and the response was overwhelming.

"About £3,000 was raised, which will be an enormous help to me with regard to travelling costs and entrance fees.

"It was a very tiring weekend and I just hope that results like the one I had at Frilford will go some way towards repaying their faith in me."

If Porter's current progress is anything to go by, expect him to deliver repayment in full.