"THE English definitely get the short straw financially," says Sam Little, the Abbots Langley golfer hoping to make the step up from the Challenge to the European Tour in the next few months.

"Players from most of the other countries in Europe get governmental support. Spain, Sweden, France, Germany all these countries offer help, and in Ireland money from the National Lottery is set aside for their golfers. Compared to us, they have money coming out of their ears."

He says for most English golfers working their way up through the ranks there is only one realistic option private sponsorship. "But unless you're on the main tour, it seems that no-one wants to know," he explained.

Little says part of the problem is the jet-setting image pro golfers have. The reality is less glamourous.

He was in Stockholm recently to compete in the Swedish Open and after rounds of 66 and 69 both on Friday after much of Thursday's play had been rained off he was just a few birdies off the pace at eleven under par. Not surprisingly, playing 36 holes over heavy ground in a single day took its toll, and although Little played par golf during the weekend, he slipped down the leader board to finish in a tie for 36th.

"I actually lost money that week," Little explained. The package to Stockholm organised by Fairway or Travel Leads, which organises trips to both Challenge and European Tour events cost £450, and with general expenses for the week of around £150, Little needed to earn more than his £500 in prize money to make a profit.

"It costs about £15,000 a year to play on the Challenge Tour. It would be more but we don't have caddies. We can't afford them."

Considering an average purse at Challenge Tour events is £90,000, with the winner taking about 10 per cent of that and those not making the cut going home empty handed, it is clear that earning a living this way can be a hard task for those in the chasing pack.

"I drove a van for six weeks earlier this year, just to earn extra cash," Little said. "You do have your low points and sometimes think why am I bothering?. I'm 26 and still living at home because I can't get a mortgage.

Even if he doesn't quite make it this time, Little has the consolation of having secured his Challenge Tour card for next season, which means he is eligible to play in each of the 30 tournaments as opposed to the 11 he qualified for this season. From that position Little could genuinely target a top 15 place in the order of merit, which would guarantee his place on the European Tour the following season.

This is Plan B, though. He is hoping a good run will allow him to take his place among Europe's elite next spring - just like his good friend Gary Clark from Pinner, who is currently sixth on the order of merit. Whether it is coincidence that Clark is one of the lucky few Britons to have secured sponsorship this season is open for discussion.

For the rest of this feature, see The Watford Observer of Firday, September 28.