Golf: Former Bradford Open champion Paul Thomas is putting himself up for sale on the eve of turning professional.

The 27-year-old West Bradford member makes his first steps on the pro circuit next week when he takes part in the Tamsel event at Portal Golf Club in Cheshire.

And, in a novel venture, the 1998 Bradford Open champion is offering shares in himself at £100 a time.

Those willing to take a gamble on his success could end up with a healthy profit providing he makes a successful switch from the amateur game with half his prize money being ploughed back in dividends.

With more than £21/2m in prize money on offer in the 30 events he plans to enter for the year there is the potential for a big return for the 150 shares on offer.

The switch from amateur to professional is an expensive one for all but the most successful and Thomas knows he faces a tough year making ends meet.

"It is going to cost me about £7,000 in entry fees alone, so I have to raise a lot of money," he admitted.

"If I can sell 150 shares at £100 each that would cover my expenses for the year. There is a lot of travelling involved and petrol costs alone will be very high.

"But it is a big challenge and I am really looking forward to it.

"I have maintained a handicap of plus one for the past three years and still hold the course record at West Bradford of 62 - seven under par.

"I will be playing competitions on the Players Tour, which will have television coverage, and the Euro Pro Tour.

"All shareholders will get a 50 per cent return of all prize monies, which for an average £10,000 win would earn £66.66 for each share, almost recouping the investment in one event."

The major return would come if he was successful in qualifying for the Open Championship at St Andrews and did well. Shipley's Steve Bottomley earned about £65,000 for coming third in the Open in 1995.

Companies or individuals interested in buying at least 20 shares would get clothing advertising as part of the deal.

Thomas is well aware of the pitfalls ahead and admits: "I may even have to resort to travelling around in a camper van like some other first year professionals have done to save expense."

Thomas was a frequent member of the Yorkshire senior team last year, a regular in the Bradford Union side and reached the final qualifying stages for the Open Championship in Scotland.

He has been coached by Peter Cowan - coach to Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke - and European Tour player Peter Tupling.

He has been working at G&N Car Sales in Cleckheaton after taking a three-year college course in mechanics, but decided it was time to take his chance on the professional circuit.

"This is just something I very much want to do," he added. "You need to get off to a good start and I feel I am good enough to earn a living at it."

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