I have enjoyed my couple of weeks at home, but I haven't been up to that much as the weather has been so bad. I did manage to get all of my Christmas shopping done so I won't have to worry about any last minute panic buys!

I'm not sure if many people outside of the North East would have seen, but my coach John Harrison, won first stage and final stage of European Senior Tour Qualifying School so he now has full playing rights for the 2010 season, John isn't 50 until the start of May so he can't play until his birthday but luckily wont miss too many events as the bulk of the season in during our summer. I was really pleased to see him get his card as this is something he has discussed for the last couple of years and this year he has cut down his teaching commitments to dedicate himself, to getting his game in shape for Q School. It is always a brave thing to tell people your plans and goals as you can look a bit silly if things don't work out, I'm so pleased it was a successful decision.

I was an avid watcher of live scoring on the European Tour website and it was a nice change for me to be watching and rooting him on. I must say that I now empathise with all of those people who follow me online and have to wait the agonising fifteen minutes for the page to be updated!

Speaking of Q School, last week saw the end of the European Tour Qualifying School which saw many former tour players get their playing rights back. I was most pleased to see Simon Khan not only regain his card but also win the tournament. We used to be managed by the same management group and you couldn't meet a nicer person. He has had an indifferent year but he never gave up. A good example of this was late in the year when he flew all the way to Singapore as a reserve for the tournament and tried to Monday qualify, only to be beaten in a playoff, so he had to fly all the way home again, a three day trip to Singapore, I guess this showed his huge desire to remain on the tour. As everyone probably knows I am a huge believer in Karma and I think he got his just rewards.

I am busy getting ready and looking forward to this weeks tournament at Leopard Creek in South Africa, not only because its much warmer but for the opportunity to see the impressive wildlife, but mainly to get off to a good start of the 2010 season, yes I know its still 2009 but its just the way the international schedule works now! The Dunhill at Leopard Creek and South African Open at Pearl Valley will hopefully be the start of a very good year.