Autumn Q4 | Page 20

LLOYD SALTMAN Lloyd Saltmans amateur career includes many accolades; Scottish Boys champion in 2003, in 2005 the Brabazon Trophy and St Andrews Links Trophy and the coveted Silver medal at the Open in St Andrews after finishing 15th. Irish Amateur, Lytham Trophy and Scottish Champion of Champions in 2007. Lloyd also made two Walker Cup appearances. Having joined the paid ranks in 2007 the transition for Lloyd hasn’t been the easiest like a lot of former top amateurs. Having failed to qualify for the European tour Lloyd tried for his card on the Asian Tour. In 2008 Lloyd retuned to Qualifying School and despite reaching the final stages he just missed out his European tour card so 2009 saw him back playing in the challenge tour but was also Golfer Magazine | Page 20 the year he and his brother Elliot made history being the only pair of brothers to appear in The Open since the great Seve and his brother Manuel Ballesteros. In 2010 Lloyd successfully gained his European tour card. We caught up with Lloyd as he prepared for the coming season, reflecting on how his career has shaped to date, how the game has changed and how his approach has changed. 2014 brings more changes ahead as Lloyd is now a married man and the couple are expecting their first child. Lloyd is hopeful and looking forward to the new arrival “I am excited for the future; a lot of good players have got better after having a child. It’s a new and exciting chapter in my life and one I am very much looking forward too. Nicky (Nicola Saltman) is brilliant she is happy to let me go and play it’s a good team effort.” For me, my career highlights have to be the experiences at the Opens. To be able to compete within that field is simply amazing. My amateur days had some really good highlights but unfortunately to narrowly miss out on keeping that Euro tour card has been frustrating. My wish list would be to compete at top level consistently. My best memory from last season, was qualifying for the open again especially at home, even though yes it was a bit of a disappointment, I needed it I think, it’s made me change certain things and made me refocus. To be driving into practise at Archerfield as a pro golfer when the Open was on and not be part of it would have been really hard.” Golfer Magazine | Page 21