Despite falling at the first hurdle in his bid to qualify for the European Seniors Tour, Richmond Park's Keith Capindale-Scott is determined to use the heartbreak of missing out as a spur to help him achieve his dreams.

Last season's Senior Challenge Tour order of merit runner-up went into the qualifying tournament last week in Portugal full of confidence, especially following two practice rounds of six under and three under. However, Capindale-Scott admits he was lulled into a false sense of security and in fact went into the tournament under-cooked in terms of his preparations.

'It was my first shot at the European Tour qualifying school and to be honest I didn't prepare properly,' said the 50-year-old, who recorded rounds of 78 and 77 over the Gramacho course in the Algarve to miss the cut by six shots.

'I'd played really solid in the two practice rounds but I should have gone out for a week and got used to the greens. The greens were lightning quick and I just never got to grips with them. I had 11 three putts over the two days!

'I had two three putts on my first two holes and found the water on the third. That was a bogey, bogey, bogey start and I never made it up. I started pushing too hard and that cost me too. I just left myself too much to make up after my first round,' he added.

Capindale-Scott admits he's still coming to terms with the fact he won't be plying his trade regularly in the top tier of European Senior Tour golf this season, but is keen to improve on the two runner-up spots and three third place finishes he had last year on the Senior Challenge Tour.

He's also got the exciting prospect of playing on the Asian Tour to fit into his schedule.

'I was on the phone to my wife in tears, if I'm honest, after missing out,' said Capindale-Scott. 'I was so sure that I could qualify and I'm sure I will next time around. My focus and preparations this year will all be geared towards qualifying. There were still positives to take out of the experience.

'I'm eligible to play in three main tour events this year so I'm looking forward to testing myself on the big stage but I know that I can compete with those guys anyway.'

Capindale-Scott's season won't get under way until early April and he is determined to fine-tune his game over the winter months.

He said: 'Tee to green I can compete with pretty much anyone on the senior tour.

'I need to improve my short game, though, and I need to be able to take the spin off my wedge play. I'm also paying a lot of attention to preparing myself properly mentally for tournaments. I've got to stop getting ahead of myself.'

Capindale-Scott, who is coached by fellow Norfolk professional Tony Varney, says his long-term aim is to win on the European Tour.

'I've had 15 wins as a professional in a six-year career,' said Capindale-Scott, who also enjoyed local pro-am success last year at Southwold with scores of 66 and 71.

'But my main aim is to win on the main tour. I believe I can do it and the exciting thing is that I know I can improve my game.

'I'm really positive about the year ahead.'

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