Gulf News caught up with 34 year-old Yas Links Abu Dhabi ambassador Englishman Luke Joy, who plays the MENA Tour to chat through his Summer Tournament plans in England.
Gulf News: The last time we chatted was back in May when you were travelling back to the UK to play on the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Tour. Tell us what you have been up to?
Luke: I have recently played in five events and in between squeezed in a family holiday in Gran Canaria with our youngest, Hugo.
I played in some events on both the Clutch Tour and Europro Tours.
I played in three EuroPro Tour events in June, with the highlight being my tied third position in the IFX Payments Championship with rounds of 70, 65 and 70 at Studley Wood, Oxford, England.
I have had a very quiet July, including our family holiday.
Gulf News: What is your tournament schedule in August?
Luke: You can see my schedule as below:
EuroPro Tour:
3 – 5 August, 2022: The DELL Technologies Championship at Mannings Heath GC.
10 – 12 August, 2022: The Lancer Scott Championship at Machynys Peninsula, Llanelli, Wales.
Clutch Tour:
17 – 18 August, 2022: The Oxfordshire, England.
22 – 23 August, 2022: Moor Park GC, England.
EuroPro Tour:
7 – 9 September, 2022: Spey Valley Championship at Spey Valley Golf Resort, Scotland.
14 – 16 September, 2022: The Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters, Leven Links GC, Scotland.
Gulf News: How do you select your tournament schedule?
Luke: I look at the location as well as the quality and reputation of the golf club and golf course.
The model for Development Tours is essentially to reduce costs and ensure the players’ purse is as generous as at all possible.
This may mean, at times, the quality of the golf course can be, perhaps, compromised, for Professional levels, so I try and avoid these events.
As you can see, I have selected some exceptional venues and golf courses in my forthcoming schedule, that have hosted DP World Tour events. Challenge Tour events and other professional tour events.
I have also been invited to play on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in Indonesia in September that I looking to hopefully play in.
Gulf News: What are your plans for later this year?
Luke: My priority plan is to return to Abu Dhabi in October and basing ourselves there for the winter season.
We are awaiting news on the plans for both the MENA Tour and the ADT, and then we will confirm all our plans.
The biggest challenge for all players on the development tours is managing funds around my schedule. Budgeting is always a challenge.
My wish is to see the Middle East and Asian region to develop more events that I can play in. I would much prefer to practice, play, live and base myself in Abu Dhabi in the UAE rather than driving all around UK on varying standards of golf courses.
