When you’re five over par after three holes and staring a big water hazard in the face at the next, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s not going to be your day.

Thankfully for Hazlemere member John Newall, a positive mental attitude helped him win Bridgestone Tyres’ aptly named Chase Your Dream Trophy final qualifier at the home of England Golf, which takes him to the pro-am of the Bridgestone Challenge at Luton Hoo on September 6.

The 11 handicapper is now just one step away from potentially playing with Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia or another star of the European Tour at the pro-am of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports at Close House on September 27, as a result.

The newly crowned Male Handicap Golfer of the Year, who qualified with eight other players in the field, will play in the pro-am of the Bridgestone Challenge, the English leg of The Challenge Tour, at Luton Hoo. They’ll be joined by the top nine players from the companion women’s championship, making up a total of six teams in the pro-am.

If his team wins there, he will be preparing to tee the ball up at one of the most prestigious courses in England with a household name of the European Tour.

John, who only scraped into the final qualifier at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire by the skin of his teeth, said: “I was five over after three holes after travelling all this way and was thinking this round could be ending before it had begun.

“I got to the fourth hole, hit a magic drive which left me 200yds to the green and pulled out the 5 wood to stick it on the green. There was a water hazard up there but I just went for it and that shot kick started my round.

The Bridgestone Tyres Chase your Dream Trophy is an annual event open to members of England Golf’s 1,900 affiliated clubs and features separate competitions for men and women.

The 42-year-old added: “It’s called the Chase Your Dream Trophy which was appropriate, as this whole experience has been a dream, thanks to Bridgestone and England Golf.

“What they have done is incredible. The giant leaderboard, the facilities, the professionalism, everything. Bridgestone has created a competition to give us little guys a chance to live like a professional. They have basically allowed us guys to chase our own dreams.”

John said he was already allowing himself to think ahead to the pro-am of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports on September 27.

“I was willing Sergio Garcia to win the Masters at Augusta earlier in the year. Now here I am, a round away from possibly playing with him. It really is quite incredible.”