GOLF: Eddie's big goal

But although the Great Britain and Ireland versus USA clash is the pinnacle of amateur golf, the Abingdon teenager is trying not to think about it too much.

Pepperell, 17, who is in a preliminary squad, has identified four ‘major’ tournaments as key to him gaining selection for the tournament at Merion in Ardmore, Pennysylvania.

However, after suffering from glandular fever in the final four months of 2008, the Drayton Park member said: “I just want to go out there and enjoy it.

“I’m probably more hungry for it than ever. I really want to do well.

“I’ve always known what I wanted to do.

“You get one shot and you’ve got to go for it.

“I’m very privileged to have the opportunity I have been given, so I would be a fool to waste it.”

The first item on Pepperell’s agenda is a training week with the England squad in Arcos Gardens near Jerez, Spain at the end of this month, after which his season will gather pace.

He said: “I have got other mini goals that will help towards my goal. If I can achieve my little goals then I think I will make the Walker Cup.

“They don’t really tell you what you have got to do to be selected. The only thing is to perform on the course.

“They don’t have an order of merit. It is purely based on performances.”

“There’s things I want to improve. I want to get my putting under 30 putts a round.

“That’s the big one really. That let me down last year.

“Also mentally being strong and ready for every tournament is a target.”

Pepperell’s four ‘majors’ are the Lytham Trophy, Brabazon Trophy, British Amateur and European Amateur.

“I think especially the first three will be seen as majors by most people,” he said.

“Last year was the first year I played in the European Amateur and I was really impressed by the standard.

“I was pleased I did quite well, so this year, if I can have a good performance there, I think the Walker Cup selectors will certainly look at those four.

“There is also the St Andrews Links.

“If you get into the habit of learning to peak at ‘majors’, then if one day, you turn pro, and play in Majors, it will be second nature.”

Pepperell will also bid to qualify for a professional major – the Open at Turnberry.

“If you make the Open, then that’s a big boost,” he said.

“Look at what happened to Chris Wood (Wood turned pro after finishing fifth at Royal Birkdale). Anything can happen from there with a bit of luck.”

After the training week, Pepperell’s first events are the Portuguese Amateur from February 19-22, and the Spanish Amateur.

Decent performances in these events gave him an early boost in 2008.

“Last year was a funny year,” said Pepperell.

“I had a few good finishes, but no real wins, which I really wanted.

“I think I achieved all my goals and made the Home Internationals, which was a pleasing thing for me.

“I also made the preliminary Walker Cup squad, which surpassed all my goals.”

That squad had a session together at Kings Barns.

He added: “I was supposed to go to America to have a practice at Merion, but I couldn’t as I was quite ill.”

Having left John Mason School, Abingdon in 2007, Pepperell has been a full-time amateur golfer.

“That has helped me a lot,” he said.

“Last winter I could just go down the gym and do a lot more things rather than just practise.

“It was great not to have to worry about school work.”

The English Golf Union (EGU) funds players in the top national squad like Pepperell, while he also has various sponsors.

“It’s a completely different atmosphere in the men’s squad,” he said.

“There’s more intensity, but it is really good fun.”

Pepperell does a lot of his training at Drayton Park where there is a range, but he is also a member at Southfield and Frilford Heath, where he practises his short game.

At home, he also has a gym and a Huxley Golf putting green made from artifical grass.

Pepperell said: “They are not cheap, but they help with your game and putting is really important. It was good to invest in one.”

Away from golf, he said: “I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend, go to the cinema and got an X-box for Christmas, which was nice.”

“Being able to drive is also very useful now.”

Pepperell attended a pre-Christmas training camp at Loughborough University, which gave him a real boost.

Speakers included Olympic rower Katherine Grainger, Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking coach Dave Alred, plus golfers Ollie Fisher and Gordon Brand Jnr.

“I learnt lots and lots from those people. It was a really inspirational weekend,” said Pepperell.

Pepperell is also planning to find a regular caddy to aid his Walker Cup bid.

He said: “It’s something I will look into this year.

“Especially as I have lost some strength, I don’t really want to be carrying my bag around all the time.

“It is very important having a caddy. It is a massive advantage.”

If Pepperell continues his progress, he shouldn’t be short of applicants for the post.