A Benfleet golfer with a hole lot of confidence has quit his job to make it in the big time.

David Salisbury, 37, left his job at a golf shop in Romford eight weeks ago to realise his dream and potentially take his place next to his golfing heroes.

David, who is a member at Boyce Hill Golf Club and turned professional in 1998, has made it through to the second phase of the European Tour School and will be teeing off in Spain in November in a bid to make it through to the European Tour. He beat off competition from 130 entrants to be in the top 29 qualifiers and if he gets through the second round he will be competing against the likes of Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.

David, from Clifton Avenue in Benfleet, said he had had enough of his job and wanted to challenge himself by pushing for his dream.

“I have never felt better and think this could be my time. I wanted to leave the job as I had been there for seven years and playing professionally was never realistically going to happen whilst I was working. The plan is to qualify this year and just give it my all. In a year’s time I want to be on the European Tour making it through to the main stage is still a way off but I know I can do it.”

David spent last week at the Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire and finished in 10th place. He will now travel to Spain to take part in the second round of the European Tour School.

However, David said he would be crocked if it wasn’t for the close attention he received at the Spinal and Natural Healthcare Centre in Benfleet from Clinical Director Stuart Lawrence, but because of him he is now so close to achieving his dream. David suffers from chronic back problems and has regular treatment and says he “wouldn’t be playing at all without him.”


Mr Lawrence said: “We have been working very closely for years now and as a professional sportsman he needs a different sort of treatment. I am enjoying working with him and look forward to helping him in the future.”