IT’S not every day you get the opportunity to play alongside a tour professional, let alone one who claimed a DP World Tour win just 60 days ago.
But that was exactly the case for local juniors Anabelle Lucas-Villar and Ryan Hafey, who teed up alongside Laurie Canter at Royal Jersey Golf Club on Monday.
The Englishman, crowned 2024 European Open champion in Germany in early June, is sponsored by local firm Baker Tilly Channel Islands, who arranged for the pro golfer to come to Jersey and share his insights with the budding teenage stars.
Lucas-Villar, the Jersey junior champion and recently crowned Channel Island ladies champion, described the opportunity as “amazing”.
“To be up close with a tour professional who plays at the highest level was such an amazing experience.
“Especially coming straight off the back of the Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he finished well.
“To see him hit the ball and watch the way he plays was really special, but I also got a great taste of what his life is like as a golf professional on tour.
“Hearing his experiences in the game up to this point was great and I’m really thankful for the opportunity.”
Canter has certainly experienced his fair share in the past couple of years, being in the eye of the storm of golf’s “civil war” between LIV Golf’s new venture and the established DP World and PGA Tour.
The 34-year-old was one of the first to accept a contract to play on the controversial Saudi-backed tour, forming part of team “Cleeks” in 2022, before spending the 2023 season as a reserve, then losing his spot entirely in a 3-for-2 playoff to join a team this season.
While not the start that Canter envisaged entering 2024, it is safe to say, the chips fell right for him.
Returning to the DP World Tour after a hefty £725,000 fine (covered by LIV Golf), the Englishman immediately broke through with success at the European Open, his first victory on the DP World Tour.
He currently occupies 12th in the order of merit (Race 2 Dubai) standings, with his official world golf ranking up at 108th.
In terms of the timing for his visit to the Island, Lucas-Villar and Hafey have experienced the golfer close to his best.
La Moye junior captain Hafey said: “It was an unreal experience watching Laurie play. I’m so grateful to Baker Tilly for the opportunity.
“He was so friendly and happy to chat about life on tour and his experiences in golf.
“One thing that really stood out to me was how laid back Laurie seemed.
“Even with all the cameras and people watching him, he was so relaxed and was just loving it.
“I managed to keep it steady and shoot one-over, despite the nerves I was feeling on the first tee, but it was no match for Laurie as he finished two-under par for the nine holes.”
