Just as EuroDov Reporter has been beavering away over their stats books, crunching the numbers and getting all excited about odds and predictions the From the Locker Room team have been tearing up locker rooms, clubhouses and fairways in search of players to interview.

There’s only so much one can do to entertain themselves in the musty locker rooms across the country in the winter. Dodging old guys in waterproofs, playing golf in hurricane force winds and driving snow – all for the fun of it!

We’re pumped that this weekend is the St Andrews Open, a return to the ancient home of golf and a bit of funny at the caddy shack!

But before we get there, we took the chance to meet up with some of the faces of the EuroDov Tour, to hear about their thoughts ahead of the 2024 Order of Merit.

So let’s get straight down to it, it’s been a long hard winter but we are on the cusp of the season how does it feel?

2-time Major winner Andy love said, “It feels like another long wait to get going. I’m just glad to be out there competing with everyone again.”

Coming back for his first full season since 2022, Paul Gowens said, “can't wait! After a poor finish to last season for me and dreadful winter weather wise can’t wait to be back out on the Tour with the lads.”

Richard Mair, who won twice as a rookie in 2023 said, “the EuroDov cup has whetted the appetite. The days are getting longer, and golf is calling out.”

David McColgan, defending Champion Golfer of the Year said, “it has felt like an exceptionally long winter, I am just glad we’re in to Spring and the season is just days away,”

Daniel Peck said, “I am just looking forward to getting out on the Eden. Alongside Craigielaw it’s my favourite course on the tour.”

Ally Greenshields said, “I am really looking forward to this again after my rookie year. Nice having competitive golf to look forward to across the summer.”

It has been a long winter, and we know many players adopt different strategies to their preparation, so how do you feel the off-season prep has gone for you?

Paul Gowens said, “yes pretty well! I have had a few golf trips and lessons in the off season trying to build back up for 2024, happy with it all so hopefully can find some consistency.”

Mair said, “not too bad. I’d have like to have played a bit more over the winter but it’s never easy in Scotland.”

Love said, “it’s probably been my most consistent off-season so far in terms of getting out and getting rounds in over winter, but I won’t be using it as too much of an indicator of how the season will go.”

Peck said, “well my last round was the Rydov at the start of September, so it’s a less conventional preparation this time round. We’ll call it being well rested…”

Greenshields said, “shanks, fats, tops and thins. Been a long winter hitting off mats and the range looking forward to getting back out on the course.” Not sure what the guidelines are for publish a list of such obscenities so let’s hope we don’t get cancelled.

The season opens at the Eden, do you have any expectations in the first event, or is it a slow burner?

Andy Love, who fell foul of the 17th hole in 2023 said, “⁠after last year, I feel like I have a bit of unfinished business, but won’t go there expecting a certain score, I just want to enjoy the day and see what happens.”

Mair, who didn’t play in the season opener in 2023 said, “wouldn’t mind putting a good showing in. But the first event is a bit of an unknown. It’s not uncommon for someone to have a runaway victory at the start of the season. Never played the Eden before so looking forward to it.”

McColgan, 2-time champion at the St Andrews Open said, “the first round is always a nervy one for the whole field. I’ll aim for my usual top-3 finish and anything that results in silverware is a bonus.”

Daniel Peck, who hasn’t won a single event on Tour said, “I’ll probably win it. Probably win all the events, if I can be bothered. Just see how I feel on the day. Last year you were all lulled into a false sense of security, and I have the group in the palm of my hand now.”

What Peck is of course referring to that he was relegated to Q-School at the end of 2023, only to be saved by the dropouts of Stuart Harwood and Barry Cunningham, could all be a long con to make a run at the James Braid Quaich? Only time will tell.

It’s a long season with 7 tournaments, but what are the payers most looking forward to?

Graeme Connor said, “I don’t particularly have one I’m looking forward to more than others, I guess if any Dunfermline GC as it’s my home track.”

Greenshields agreed saying, “Pitfirane this year falls on my birthday, and a course I haven’t played much. So, looking forward to that one.”

Andy Love continued his hate campaign for the Old Tom Morris course, Kinghorn saying, “any tournament other than the Kinghorn Classic.”

Richard Mair said, “Tour Championships at Craigielaw. Didn’t do myself justice there last year and it doesn’t sit right.”

Daniel Peck was quick to come to his desired event saying, “Aberdour. Love the course, can’t wait to play on it again.”

Of course, his excitement over Aberdour was short lived when he was reminded that it had been dropped from the rota and replaced by Dunfermline Golf Club, thoughts Peck?

“You’re f&^$ng kidding me?” Maybe should have stayed in Q-School mate!

What was the rest of the fields reaction to the MCM moving from Aberdour to Dunfermline GC?

Andy Love said, “I liked Aberdour, it was a fun course. I’m interested to see how others fair round Pitfirrane as it’s definitely a sterner test.”

McColgan said, “Aberdour is a nice course, and it’ll be missed on the rota, however Pitfirrane is going to test the field significantly. It’s longer, tighter demanding distance and accuracy, it is not going to be a favourite for a lot of the boys.”

Gowens said, “I have mixed feelings as Aberdour being short suits me and I tend to do well there. However, I have moved to Pitffirane so hopefully by the time it comes around I will know my way round the course.”

Mair said, “despite living in Dunfermline I’ve never played Pitffirane. It looks like a cracking course so a great addition to the tour. Looks as though it will be a real test.”

So let’s get down to business, who is the favourite to win it all come August?

Andy Love said, “I think Stu Allan has it in him this year to make a real run at the title.”

Gowens said, “I can’t see past Dave to be honest with his consistency being key in his games over others.”

Mair said, “McColgan. His record speaks for itself!”

Graeme Connor said, “It’s anyone’s game to be honest, you would like to think the better players rise to the top but it just takes a higher handicapped player to put one decent round together and it’s impossible to compete with them.”

Daniel Peck, who despite the lack of golf has clearly been experimenting with something else took us on a journey, buckle in and see if you can make sense of this.

“⁠It’s a left field choice. But let me cast your minds eye back to the summer of ‘92. You were probably listening to a bit of Erasure at the local discotech or taking in Batman Returns at the Robins cinema up town. Denmark thought they’d be spending their summer making fun of those silly Europeans with their closed sandwiches - what kind of idiot uses a second bit of bread on top of their sandwich they’d muse to themselves quite racistly.

Smørrebrød weren’t at the top of the Yugoslavs minds though. A series of inter-ethnic wars were breaking out in the country and UEFA said, “Nope. Stop that, or we won’t let you play in Euro 92”. It turned out breaking up the country ultimately resulted in them being kicked out the German tournament though and Denmark were invited back in. After agreement that they’d just stick to using one side of the bun when tucking into their currywurst and said they’d love to come along for the ride. Nobody expected them to challenge, but guess what. They only went and won the bloody thing, didn’t they!”

After several hours pouring over this, consulting with colleagues at GCHQ, we can only assume Peck is telling us, he (like Denmark) down and out of the Order of Merit until only a few weeks ago, now has a reprieve and is in the tournament (Harwood and Cunningham playing the role of Yugoslavia) and is going to go on and win it all.

Anyway, back to reality Greenshields says, “if the rumours are true that Dave is only making three events. My money would be on Richard Mair or Stuart Allan.”

Well let’s deal with these rumours, with David McColgan potentially playing as little as 3 events in 2024, does this impact the event?

Gowens, said “it may do only time will tell.”

Mair went with, “I’ll believe that when I see it!”

Peck, still recovering from his previous answer said, “devastated by these rumours.” Whether he knew what they were after the question was put to him is still to be found.

Greenshields said, “an opportunity for a champion to come out his shadow.”

Andy Love simply offered, “he’s full of sh^*e, it’s all mind games. He can’t help himself.”

We had a chance to put the question to him and ask where the rumours came from?

He said, “I think I said at the end of the 2023 season I’d review my schedule and might possibly play a limited format in 2024. The truth is I’ll know early May what is on the table and make my decision then.

Until then I am definitely playing the St Andrews Open and the Kinghorn Classic.”

McColgan seemed to be the name on most players lips as the potential winner, but who is he backing to win it all?

He offered the following, “I think there are three likely contenders in 2024. I fancy Richard Mair to keep pushing, he won 2 events in 2023 and he has the ability to push up the table.

Stuart Allan 100% has the tools to win, and I expect him to push higher this year.

And finally, Paul Gowens. His chances might be hampered by not appearing at the St Andres Open but having played alongside him at the EuroDov Cup his game is in impeccable shape.

If I could offer a wild card, I’d pick Joel Morrison. His confidence in the OoM grew tournament on tournament in 2023, and I think he has one of the most mechanically sound swings in the field.”

Ok then who is everyone else’s wildcard?

Andy Love said, “having played a few rounds with Kev on the EuroDov, I think he’ll put in a good show this season and could be in with a shout.”

Paul Gowens said, “Stuart Allan finished strong winning at Craigielaw in 2023.”

Mair said, “I think we’ll see Gowens in contention a lot this season. I wouldn’t put it past him to win the whole thing.”

Greenshields said, “Joel Morrison I think can be right in about it this year. Playing some very solid golf atm.”

Graeme Connor said, “I’m not sure it’s a wildcard as such but Paul Gowens based on recent health issues and subsequent handicap increase will be one to watch, as we seen in Cascais.”

How do you think the threat of Q-school, and tournament exemptions will impact the season?

Love said, “⁠it certainly gives more to play for, especially for those whose chance at the OOM disappears fairly early on in the proceedings.”

Mair said, “definitely adds a bit of spice. The parallel running at many events will act as both a threat and incentive.”

Greenshields said, “I think the last few tournaments are going to get tense. Like Craigielaw last year I think we might see some people crumble.”

Connor said, “the added pressure might affect some however I played very few events last season and retained my card comfortably.”

Peck – who was sent into a fit of muttering and rocking at the words Q-School – could only repeat, the quote ⁠“In the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists.”

After getting the Tour medical team to check him over, we went straight to ChatGPT to find out Peck was in fact repeating the words of ⁠ Mahatma Gandhi…why, no one knows!

Finally, what are your ambitions for the 2024 season?

Andy Love said, “⁠match the consistency last year that got me 2nd place, but maybe add an event win into the mix too.”

Paul Gowens said, “hopefully improve on 2023 position and stay clear of the relegation zone.
Richard Mairs said, “⁠I had a really good rookie season last year. 1 victory this year would be
great, and a good tour championships performance - that’s where the points are to be won!”

David McColgan said, “I have a tried and tested approach and it focusses on consistently finishing in the top-3. It’s not pretty golf, it’s not glamorous and it won’t deliver me any fire side chats with the FTLR crew, but come the end of the season, if I achieve that, I’ll be the one holding the James Braid Quaich.”

Ally Greenshields said, “our friend has been rude enough to have both his wedding and stag do on OoM dates, and will be missing Canmore due to the open. I’ll be lucky not to be in Q-school next year.”

Graeme Connor said, “Put together at least one round with no stupid mistakes and hopefully win an event. I’m generally always near the top in each event whilst leaving a lot out on the course, so time to cut out the mistakes.”

And we’ll leave the parting words of Daniel Peck – bidding to be the Tour’s eccentric lunatic in 2024 – as he said, “I think I’ll probably win it.”

There it is focus a quick round up of some of the faces taking part in 2024. Be sure to join us after each tournament as we get the players’ reactions and more news and insight from behind the scenes.