IAN Ridgway embarks on his seventh attempt to win a European Tour card when he pegs up with 315 other hopefuls at the second qualifying stage which starts in Spain on Friday.

But the High Legh Park tournament professional believes he is better prepared to achieve his goal this time.

"Andrew Mckenzie, who is working on my short game, and a member at the club have helped me to assemble a three-year plan. I've changed my coach and now see David Williams at Portal while Phil Kenyon is looking after my putting," he said. 

Ridgway, 29, who also consults sports psychologist Lee Crombleholme, has sold shares in himself so he does not have to worry about funding.

"High Legh members have been helping me out and it's great to have so much back-up." 

The former Cheshire player, who was a junior at Heyrose before joining the paid ranks in 2001, competes on the PGA North Region and EuroPro circuits and won an event at Conwy on the Manchester-based Players' Tour earlier in the year.

"My game's been consistent all season and I've adapated well to the changes I've made. I've only missed three cuts and put in some good results," he added.

 Ridgway spent the last few days practising in Portugual where he stayed on a boat at Vilamoura.

"It belongs to a friend and I was meant lodge with him but his mum turned up so there was no room for me," he explained.

Now he's hoping his boat will come in at Spanish resort Arcos Gardens and join the leading qualifiers at next week's final tour school at Catalunya.

Joining him on Friday will be Bury assistant Sean Doherty, buoyed by his Lancashire PGA Championship victory two months ago, Whitefield's Nicky Harris, Didsbury-based Danny Wardrop, a regular visitor to the school who played in this year's Open at Turnberry, and Leigh-born Danny Belch. 

Birchwood's Phil Archer must also try to win his full card after a disappointing campaign.

STAMFORD professional Mark Smith enjoyed a double pay-out in the Manchester Alliance at Withington, totting up 40 points to win the individual prize then added another six to the total to clinch the pro-am with England international Matthew Nixon from Ashton-under-Lyne.

And Standish Court's Stuart McGrath posted three-under-par 70 to win the West Lancs Alliance at Fairhaven