Last updated 11:45, Wednesday, 20 August 2008

CUMBRIA’S star recruit Gary Wolstenholme has revealed next week’s final county match against Durham could be his last as an amateur as he is considering turning professional – at the age of 48.

The former Walker Cup player, , right, who defeated American superstar Tiger Woods at Royal Porthcawl in a singles match in 1995, plans to go to European Tour School later this year.

But he ultimately has his sights set on joining the European Seniors Tour when he turns 50 in two years’ time, and playing alongside the likes of Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Costantino Rocca.

His decision will be a major blow to Cumbria as he has been a key addition to the team which is still in with a chance of winning the Northern Counties League title for only the second time in history.

Wolstenholme – 48 tomorrow – has decided to test himself as a pro because strict rules governing amateur status mean he is unable to make a living from golf.

He is out of work after leaving his home in Leicestershire to live nearer his mother in Heysham and joining Kendal’s Carus Green Golf Club.

He said: “I’ll probably have to make a decision in October about what I will do because the bottom line is that I have to earn some money.

“Ideally, I would like to eventually combine playing on the Seniors Tour with a job in golf – maybe something like a tournament director of some other role.

“I don’t want to be lost to Cumbria because this is home for me now. The Lake District is the part of the world I love more than anywhere, and I would like to help coach and develop the game in the county.

“This year is almost certain to be my last as an amateur, unless I can find a job which enables me to continue as an amateur.”

If he fails to land his European Tour card later this year, Wolstenholme could play on the Challenge Tour and Euro Pro Tour next year until he is eligible for the Seniors Tour from August 2010.

His decision to turn pro would bring the curtain down on one of the most glittering amateur golf careers in which he became the most capped England international in history.

The two-times British Amateur champion has won championships all over the world, including China, Finland, South Africa, Australia, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates.

He has played at six Walker Cups and two Eisenhower Trophies.

If he does turn professional, his final appearance for Cumbria will be in their game against Durham at Dinsdale Spa on Saturday week.