WHAT does a European Tour player do when his game no longer matches his ambition and the money pot runs out?

Unfortunately, it is question that has faced too many of our players in recent times, with Dorset professionals Gary Emerson and Lee James both currently condemned to the golfing wilderness.

Another player thrown on to the tournament scrap-heap was Poole’s Shaun Webster who enjoyed moderate success on both European tours from 2000 to 2007.

But unlike his county contemporaries, he has totally turned his back on the tournament game to concentrate on golf management.

Webster, who won the English Amateur championship in 1996, stopped competing three years ago at the age of 32.

“I played so poorly in my final year that I was left without any ranking whatsoever,” explained Webster who lost his tour privileges in 2007.

“I managed to get a few invites the following year, but continued to play poorly and ended up spending a fortune and getting nowhere.

“The following year, I decided to give up tournament golf and try my hand at management,” added Webster, who joined Champions UK in January 2009.

“When I joined they were only looking after the interests of one player, Graeme Storm.”

Storm won the Amateur Championship in 1999, and was quickly snapped up by Chubby Chandler’s ISM golf management group when he turned professional.

At this point, Storm’s career path had been identical to Broadstone’s James who also qualified to play at the US Masters in 1995.

But after a few poor seasons he was dropped, like James, and on the verge of giving up the game.

“Graeme was seriously considering giving up his job and was making ends meet by working in a cake factory in Hartlepool,” said Webster.

A chance meeting with snooker star Willie Thorne, a co-founder of Champions UK, saw Storm sign for the company in 2003 after they had played in a pro-am together.

The 32-year-old Hartlepool-born player went on to win the 2007 French Open and become a multi-millionaire.

“My job is to build up the company’s portfolio of players and, at the moment, I have increased the number to 10,” said Webster.

“They are of varying abilities and play on various tours. Apart from Graeme, we have David Dixon and Scott Jamieson on the main tour, Matthew Southgate on the Challenge Tour, and Gary Wolstenholme on the Senior Tour.

“My job is to offer an all-round concierge service, from flights, hotels and looking for sponsorship and offering them moral support.”

Webster spends a lot of time travelling the globe to watch and support his players from as far afield as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“This is very much a dog-eat-dog industry and you’ve got to be seen at the big events. If you’re not out there, people presume you’re no longer in management.

“It’s also where a lot of the potential sponsors are.”

Webster splits his time between working at home in Poole, Loughborough (Champions UK headquarters) and at tournaments on the tour.

Webster is self-employed but is paid a retainer by UK Champions and receives commission from sponsorship deals and a percentage of any of his players’ winnings.

Ironically, Webster is playing his ‘best golf’ since quitting the tournament scene.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. But I’m still involved in the game and I can pass on the knowledge and experience I have gleaned from the 10 years playing on both the main tours.

“I still enjoy a round once a month and I am probably playing my best golf in years. It’s amazing how much easier it is when your livelihood doesn’t depend on it.”