The journey to the top of any sport usually begins at a young age when talent can be meticulously honed, but Luke Groves has taken a different approach.

The South Oxhey golfer has been playing the game for less than a decade having taken his first swing under the guidance of his dad at the age of 15.

Now 23, Groves is embarking on his first ever pro year as he takes part in the Alps Tour and the former Bushey Hall student can scarcely believe how far he has come.

“I started when I was 15,” Groves explained. “My dad said to come down and I couldn’t hit the ball and that frustrated me.

“I think that drove me to want to get better, so I kept going back until I got my first win and it all went from there.

“Ever since I started the goal was to be a professional golfer and to start playing in tournaments like the Alps Tour.

“You grow up watching these professional players and wanting to play against them.

“I am on the first steps towards getting to do that.”

Those first steps were taken in Egypt on Tuesday as Groves joined a 75-strong field at the first event of the Alps Tour.

Groves advanced to the final round of the event, with scores of 74 and 73 in the first two rounds, where he produced his best golf to record a score of 71 and finish two-over par.

His efforts saw him finish joint 35th in the tournament which was won by France’s Frank Daux, who finished on a total of 12-under thanks largely to a superb final round of 65.

Groves, who is not currently attached to a club but has previously played for Bushey Hall and West Herts, has a clear set of goals for the tour which concludes in Israel in October.

Prior to competing in Egypt, he said: “It is going to be a good experience. I think the Alps Tour is about getting experience of what it is like to be on tour really, and it will involve a lot of travelling.

“I don’t think a lot of people realise that side of the sport when they do make it to the professional level.

“I’m hoping for a fast start in Egypt to give myself a bit of momentum towards the rest of the year.

“I am aiming for the Challenge Tour and that is obviously the bigger goal but I am taking it as it comes.”

By his own admission Groves does not fulfil the stereotype of a golfer and admits that at a younger age his sporting interests lay elsewhere, primarily in a boxing ring.

While vastly differing sports, Groves believes his dual passions work well together and that boxing has ultimately benefitted his golf game.

“Boxing was my main thing when I was younger and I am still a big fan. The two worlds are massively different but very similar in some ways,” claimed Groves.

“When you look at the muscles you use they are similar. I think the boxing experience keeps you in good stead mentally when things maybe aren’t going your way as well.”

Groves wishes to thank his sponsors RPM Compressors, Danslow Signs, Ping and Titleist for the support they have given him during his golfing journey.

He added that he also owes a great deal to his family and girlfriend, who have helped him both on and off the golf course.