John-Paul Banbury, an assistant at Midlands-based Moor Hall Golf Club, will attempt to the land the biggest prize of his fledgling career when he tees it up at the Crown Golf PGA Assistants' Championship - which offers the winner a share of the £6,000 prize and a coveted place in next year's English Open at St Mellion International Golf Resort.
Banbury, who works under the guidance of Midland PGA Order of Merit leader Cameron Clark, is one of just 30 assistants who have qualified for the 36-hole showdown at Hertfordshire's Batchworth Park on Monday September 29.
And Banbury admits that Clark's excellent season on the Midlands circuit is spurring him on.
"He's doing really well and so whenever we play together I'm always trying to beat him," said the 19-year-old.
"His success is definitely pushing me on to do better. But Cameron's also helping me a lot with my game. He's played on the European Tour so has a lot of knowledge.
"He's also very supportive in giving me time to practise when it's quiet."
Banbury, who is about to embark on the second year of his three-year PGA training programme, admitted he was feeling confident about his game ahead of the tournament, which is exclusively for English or England-based assistants on the PGA training programme.
"I'm feeling pretty good about my game," said Banbury.
"I've been playing well the back end of the season and was pleased to get through the qualifier as only six made it through.
"I also finished fifth in a recent Midland Order of Merit event, so I'm happy with the way things have gone."
Among those also chasing the title and the opportunity of lining up alongside the European Tour elite next August in The English Open are the reigning PGA Assistants' Champion Guy Woodman (East Berkshire) and the 2006 champion Brett Taylor (Chelmsford).
Devon's Paul Hendriksen (Fingle Glen), a top five finisher in the PGA Assistants' Championship for the past two years will view it as one final shot at glory ahead of embarking on a career as a fully qualified professional.
John Weir, Chief Operating Officer of Crown Golf, said: "We're delighted to be welcoming some of England's brightest prospects to Batchworth Park.
"This is a great opportunity for a young professional to win a place alongside some of the stars of European golf next year and to experience all the tension and excitement of a European Tour event."