Eddie Pepperell is remaining upbeat – despite just failing to make final qualifying for next season’s European Tour.

The 20-year-old professional, from Abingdon, missed out on a required top-20 place by a single shot in the second qualifying stage at Costa Ballena Ocean Club, Jerez, Spain on Monday.

Pepperell fired rounds of 72, 74, 65, 70 for a seven-under-par total of 281 to come an agonising 22nd.

“My first two rounds, when it was windy, put me well down the field. After my third round of 65, I reckoned I needed to break 70 again to make it through.

“I was well-placed, but lost momentum after a bogey at the 11th and finished with seven straight pars.

“Obviously I’m disappointed to miss out on the final qualifying, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.

“There are more positives than negatives. In fact, I’m very excited about my game.

“I’ve made massive improvements to my swing since I turned pro.”

Pepperell, who practises at both Frilford Heath – to whom he is attached – and Drayton Park, added: “When you’ve worked as hard as I have – hitting 500 balls a day over the past three months – it’s nice to see I’m swinging much better now and I expect to see results.”

His next tournament will not be until next February or March.

“I’m not too worried about that as it will allow me to keep of practising hard,” said Pepperell, who is expecting to get a few invites on the Challenge Tour next year, having missed out on the big time – for now.

RESULTS CHECK OXFORD CITY Whittle Quaich (pairs aggregate): 1 R Poore & P Bradbury 81pts, 2 S Lydon & S Giles 77.

NORTH OXFORD Winter Challenge round 5: 1 H Lloyd & M Wathes 45pts, 2 L Gurdev & S Rana 44, 3 S Ryan & N Otwell 43 (cb).

WITNEY LAKES Aston & James December Medal – Div 1: 1 M Tyler 72-7=65, 2 S Saunders 76-7=69, 3 B Green 84-13=71. Div 2: 1 M Steward 84-15=69, 2 J Barnatt 88-17=71, 3 D Holliday 91-19=72.

KIRTLINGTON Medal Div 1: 1 D Gallagher 77-14=63, 2 D Thomas 71-5=66, 3 B Moggridge 74-7=67. Div 2: 1 J Daulton 91-28=63, 2 D Birney 81-16=65 (cb), 3 K Wilce 84-16=66 (cb).

Stableford Div 1: A Howe 42pts, 2 P Knight 41, 3 S Beahan 37. Div 2: G Shaw 38pts, 2 B Crumell 37 (cb), 3 R Mitchell 37 (cb).

Seniors Stableford: 1 B Smale 43pts (cb), 2. C Myall 43, 3 N Cofield 42.

WYCHWOOD Seniors Stableford: 1 G Cross (26 handicap) 43pts, 2 R Hollingdale (13) 41, 3 R Copping (23) 39.

December Medal: 1 C Gunn 88-25=63, 2 P King 93-26=67, 3 A Tyler 73-5=68.

Ladies Medal: 1 S Jordan 100-25=75, 2 T Gibbons 90-12=78, 3 S Bishop 96-18=78.

HINKSEY HEIGHTS Ladies’ December Medal: 1 H Neilson nett 78 (cb), 2 V Hancock 78, 3 J Thomp-son 80 (cb).

WATERSTOCK Seniors presentation night winners – Championship overall gross: P Hingley. Overall nett: D Bevan. Matchplay pairs: I West & K Ward. Carol Trinder trophy: Peter Marsh. Category 4 championship: M Benson. Captain’s shield: P Hingley. Winter Dot Com competition: P Gates. Most improved player: D Bevan. Club Matches order of merit: M Burgess.