Gary Emerson

Gave up the security of a club post at Salisbury and South Wilts GC, where he combined a playing and teaching career. Made six visits to the Qualifying School before succeeding in 1994. Kept his card in the subsequent two seasons by finishing in exactly the same position, 113th. However he lost his playing privileges in 1997 but regained them at the 1998 Qualifying School. Finished in the top 100 for the first time in 1999 in 97th position, thanks principally to taking a share of sixth place in the Smurfit European Open, and managed the Order of Merit feat again in 2000 and in 2001 claimed his highest position in the Volvo Order of Merit of 78th. Recorded at the time his best European Tour performance in September 2001 when he finished in a T-4 in the Trophy Lancome. Endured a nervy end to the 2002 season but eventually kept his card by the narrowest of margins after finishing in 116th place on the Volvo Order of Merit. Went down one extra place below the normal 115 because of the fact that one of the top 115 places was occupied by Korea's Charlie Wi, an Affiliate Member.
Secured his first European Tour victory in his 238th event in August 2004 when he won the dual ranking Russian Open at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club. In the process became the 300th different player to win on The European Tour. Followed that in 2006 by winning the biggest check of his career of ?195,498 by finishing 2nd in The Quinn Direct British Masters to finish 76th on the Order of Merit for a second successive year
Played full time on the European Tour between 1995 and 2007, then part-time in 2008 Made 336 starts with a win at 2004 Russian Open, had two runner-up finishes and 13 top-tens. In has career earnings of euro1,867,862.
After turning 50 in September was able to play in three European Senior events, was T9th at the English Senior Open, T11th at the Dutch Senior Open and withdrew from the Fubon Senior Open.