BUT HIS JOURNEY STARTED WITH THE TRAVERS FOUNDATION
Ryan Evans has come a fair way from Avon to the fairway at The Open 2016 at Royal Troon Before the Open 2016 at Royal Troon most of the UK population might have been forgiven for not having heard of Ryan Evans.
Colin Montgomerie (@Darth_Monty) even cheekily tweeted: "Who is Ryan Evans? #The Open", which Ryan took in good humour and re-tweeted to his followers.
However, if you're from North Northamptonshire the county’s favourite golfing son is probably somebody with whom you were already familiar.
The six-foot-tall 29 year old was well known in Northamptonshire as he steadily carved himself a solid reputation on the golf course - and was also known as being a thoroughly decent chap off it.
Never forgetting his roots, Ryan went back to Gretton in 2012 to open the re-vamped Sports and Social Club, drawing a big crowd who came to see the local hero cut the red ribbon and proclaim the bar open for business.
Ryan was also the first sportsperson to have received funding from Gretton-based charity The Travers Foundation.
The charity, set up by local businessman Terry Forsey in 2012, is based in Northamptonshire and helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts.
Terry Forsey, Chairman of the Travers Foundation, is understandably absolutely delighted with Ryan's success:
"I knew Ryan well, having played with him in the Blue Bell Golf Society, so he was familiar to us already when he applied to The Travers Foundation for help with funding.
"We have been following Ryan's progress with added interest since 2013, when he was the first person to receive financial help from The Travers Foundation.
"It has been an honour and a privilege watching how he's developed into a world-class sportsman, and we know that there are more great things to come for Ryan."
Speaking about his recent success in The Open 2016, Ryan tweeted:
"Awesome couple of weeks in Scotland. Finished 58th in the @TheOpen at Troon in my first ever major. Now home and having a @NandosUK for dinner!"
During the tournament, Ryan played with golfing legend Colin Montgomerie on his home course.
The previous week his Open Qualification earned him a last minute entry to the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. He had a last minute race to be on the tee in time and teed-off with the eventual Open winner Henrik Stenson.
All of which is a long way away from his previous job, where he worked as a call centre operative at Avon in Corby.
Ryan explains:
"I was working in a call centre in Corby... I decided to concentrate on golf and see if I could get anywhere. I took a year's leave from work. I've now got a chance to write my own history. I feel I appreciate playing the game more, given where I was. If I miss the cut, it's still better than being sat in the office looking out of the window, wishing I was playing golf."
Ryan received funding from The Travers Foundation in what proved to be the last year of his amateur career. This saw him earn a selection to visit Australia as part of a two-man England Golf team where he turned in outstanding winning performances.
Having reached Number Six in the world amateur rankings, he then turned professional and in 2014 and 2015 played in the Challenge Tour, and then qualified for the European Tour at the end of 2015.
Today he has to qualify for big tournaments like The Open, and his trip to Troon was his first major tournament. But there's one thing for sure, you can guarantee it won't be his last!
Everyone at The Travers Foundation wishes Ryan all the best for his future golfing career, and we're delighted that we were there at the start of his amazing journey. Don't forget to come back and visit us again soon!
For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk
ends
Press information – Terry Forsey, The Travers Foundation – 01536 771440
The Travers Foundation - registered charity number 1154203
The Travers Foundation press releases are carefully crafted by Helen Bach.
If you need any assistance with press releases, blogs, brochures, website content please email Helen here .
Colin Montgomerie (@Darth_Monty) even cheekily tweeted: "Who is Ryan Evans? #The Open", which Ryan took in good humour and re-tweeted to his followers.
However, if you're from North Northamptonshire the county’s favourite golfing son is probably somebody with whom you were already familiar.
The six-foot-tall 29 year old was well known in Northamptonshire as he steadily carved himself a solid reputation on the golf course - and was also known as being a thoroughly decent chap off it.
Never forgetting his roots, Ryan went back to Gretton in 2012 to open the re-vamped Sports and Social Club, drawing a big crowd who came to see the local hero cut the red ribbon and proclaim the bar open for business.
Ryan was also the first sportsperson to have received funding from Gretton-based charity The Travers Foundation.
The charity, set up by local businessman Terry Forsey in 2012, is based in Northamptonshire and helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts.
Terry Forsey, Chairman of the Travers Foundation, is understandably absolutely delighted with Ryan's success:
"I knew Ryan well, having played with him in the Blue Bell Golf Society, so he was familiar to us already when he applied to The Travers Foundation for help with funding.
"We have been following Ryan's progress with added interest since 2013, when he was the first person to receive financial help from The Travers Foundation.
"It has been an honour and a privilege watching how he's developed into a world-class sportsman, and we know that there are more great things to come for Ryan."
Speaking about his recent success in The Open 2016, Ryan tweeted:
"Awesome couple of weeks in Scotland. Finished 58th in the @TheOpen at Troon in my first ever major. Now home and having a @NandosUK for dinner!"
During the tournament, Ryan played with golfing legend Colin Montgomerie on his home course.
The previous week his Open Qualification earned him a last minute entry to the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. He had a last minute race to be on the tee in time and teed-off with the eventual Open winner Henrik Stenson.
All of which is a long way away from his previous job, where he worked as a call centre operative at Avon in Corby.
Ryan explains:
"I was working in a call centre in Corby... I decided to concentrate on golf and see if I could get anywhere. I took a year's leave from work. I've now got a chance to write my own history. I feel I appreciate playing the game more, given where I was. If I miss the cut, it's still better than being sat in the office looking out of the window, wishing I was playing golf."
Ryan received funding from The Travers Foundation in what proved to be the last year of his amateur career. This saw him earn a selection to visit Australia as part of a two-man England Golf team where he turned in outstanding winning performances.
Having reached Number Six in the world amateur rankings, he then turned professional and in 2014 and 2015 played in the Challenge Tour, and then qualified for the European Tour at the end of 2015.
Today he has to qualify for big tournaments like The Open, and his trip to Troon was his first major tournament. But there's one thing for sure, you can guarantee it won't be his last!
Everyone at The Travers Foundation wishes Ryan all the best for his future golfing career, and we're delighted that we were there at the start of his amazing journey. Don't forget to come back and visit us again soon!
For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk
ends
Press information – Terry Forsey, The Travers Foundation – 01536 771440
The Travers Foundation - registered charity number 1154203
The Travers Foundation press releases are carefully crafted by Helen Bach.
If you need any assistance with press releases, blogs, brochures, website content please email Helen here .