Hardly a week goes by without another young golfer appearing on the scene labeled ‘One to Watch’ – so in the first of a new series where Golfmagic takes a look at the future stars of the game, Andy Roberts chats to 20-year-old Englishman Eddie Pepperell.
Following an outstanding amateur career which included impressive victories at the 2010 Welsh Amateur and 2011 Portuguese Amateur where he poured home a 40-foot birdie putt to win on the last, Pepperell is now looking forward to making his mark on the Challenge Tour.
And while the fresh-faced star from Oxfordshire might not have set the world alight thus far - with a tie for 26th at last month’s Acava Open his best result in five starts - he knows time and experience is very much on his side.
“I believe all the great experiences I’ve had as an amateur, such as the European Team Championships where I won my singles match 4&3 and my victories in Wales and Portugal, will stand me in good stead for my professional career.
“A year or two on the Challenge Tour will be a fantastic breeding ground for me, as my long-term goal is to compete at the highest level and gain a European Tour card. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.”
And when questioned who he’d most like to play with on the big stage, Pepperell had a certain three-time major champion in mind.
“I like Padraig Harrington for his professionalism and work ethic and this makes him a real role model for me. The opportunity to play against him would be huge, one I would relish.”
But while Pepperell’s now living the dream, he revealed it didn’t just happen overnight. While many kids of his generation were obsessing over purple dinosaurs or some ninja-trained turtles, Pepperell’s attentions were focused on a Golden Bear.
“I started playing golf when I was four years old and my dad sat me down to watch videos of Jack Nicklaus.
“I then really got into it, started playing competitive golf around the age of 11 and my hard work and determination paid off when I won the Wee Wonders at the age of 12. That gave me an experience in golf that I’ll never forget and it gave me the drive to excel in the game.”
Three years later, Pepperell had won two Faldo Series trophies, the prestigious Reid Trophy and booked his spot in the England Team for the Boys Home Internationals.
Pepperell will now be hoping to make a similar impact on the pro ranks as he goes in search of stardom - and he will have every opportunity to do so since signing a long-term endorsement deal with TaylorMade-adidas Golf to use their R11 driver and 3-wood, Rescue 11 TP, Tour Preferred MB irons, xFT wedges and Penta TP ball.
“I’m a big fan of the R11 and it has definitely helped my driving already this year. The Tour guys at Basingstoke look after me very well and I really appreciate what they do for me.
“I’m confident that with the support of TaylorMade-adidas Golf behind me, I can achieve all of my goals in golf.”
