The DP World Tour introduces new talent on a regular basis – and this week it is the turn of 15-year-old Kai Notteboom to take his place on the global stage.
On Thursday, just 11 days after his birthday, he will tee it up at the Turkish Airlines Open in his first start on Golf’s Global Tour.
For the Swiss amateur, the experience of swapping junior and boys’ events for the professional stage at Regnum Carya is one that has come far sooner than he expected but it is one that he is embracing.
Of those in action at the opening event of the European Swing, you will be hard pressed to find someone with a bigger smile on his face.
And, in truth, it is the things professionals may take for granted, such as the pristine course conditions and expansive practice facilities, that are giving him great satisfaction.
“I didn’t expect to play a DP World Tour event this year and it is definitely really cool to be here,” said Notteboom.
“The course conditions are amazing. Having Pro V1s on the range and pros sit next to you – you just want to stay there all day.
“But then I've got to remember that I need to rest before the tournament starts.”
The fact that his DP World Tour debut should come in Türkiye makes the moment even more special.
It was at Regnum Carya that Notteboom first swung a club, around the age of four or five, initially just for “fun” to complement playing tennis.
"Now I am here playing my first pro event in the area that I started so it really means a lot to me," he said.
By the age of nine, his handicap was zero and it is now around +3.5 and he has enjoyed success in the amateur ranks on both national and international stages, recently winning a French boys' U16 title last month.
Despite his schoolboy age, Notteboom believes he can compete at this level around a course measuring a little over 7,200 yards and with a par of 71.
“My main goal is to make the cut,” he added of his primary hopes for the week.
“If I do, the third and the fourth round will be to just go step by step up the leaderboard.”
Notteboom, who has received tutelage at Hillside Golf Club in England over recent years, admits he may be at a disadvantage off the tee due to a lack of distance but he is absorbing as much wisdom as possible from those around him in his practice rounds.
“One of the players I played with gave me some advice on what I could improve which is really all I need,” he said.
“I always need to improve every day.
“It was also really nice to play with them. I am still a bit shorter [off the tee] than them but that will come!”
Notteboom will tee it up alongside Sweden's DP World Tour winner Simon Forsström and HotelPlanner Tour graduate Hamish Brown of Denmark.
