TIM Rastall might not enjoy as high a profile of some of his colleagues on the European Seniors' Tour - but he can claim to be one of the smartest.

For the 51-year-old Macclesfield-based professional has been handed an equipment and clothing sponsorship by Bobby Jones - the US company named after the legendary golfer.

They recently opened a European arm in Bamber Bridge and Rastall will wear their branding as he embarks this week on his second season on the expanding tour at the DGM Barbados Open.

Yet at the end of last year, Rastall was in grave danger of losing his card before hanging on to it by the skin of his teeth after producing a gutsy performance in the final round at qualifying school.

"I was a drowning man and had to dig deep because I was playing for my job," he said.

And despite failing to impress the bank manager with his meagre winnings - although he worked for a Macclesfield carpet firm to keep his head above water during the winter - he regards his rookie season as a learning curve.

"And I was taught a lot by the more experienced players such as Sam Torrance," he admitted.

"Many of them had been at it all their lives but I'd only competed mostly at regional level.

"The courses are not as easy as you would imagine and the greens much quicker than I'd been used to but I feel I can give a better account of myself this time.

"I frittered away too many shots last year because although I could hit the ball and well as anyone else it was obvious my short game was letting me down."

Rastall, a former PGA Cup winner, feels he's ironed out that problem, and fine tuned his swing, after working with Manchester-based Total Golf coach John Watson.

He also spent a month warming up in Portugal, taking in three regional pro-ams, before jetting off to Royal Westmoreland.

"I hope I can repay the faith that the Bobby Jones people have put in me," he added.