Michael Leslie wins two-year pro tour card after lifting 2012 European U-21 Snooker Championship
Scottish under-21 snooker player, Michael Leslie showed astounding snooker skills at the Dedeman Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria against England’s Shane Castle to win the final encounter of 2012 European Under-21 Snooker Championship by the score line of 6-2.
With this splendid victory over the Englishman, Leslie has also placed himself in the qualifiers of 2012-13 and 2013-14 Snooker Season. He has won the two-year pro tour card, as per rules of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, where he
will be participating in all international events as a professional player.
During his post match interview with the local media, Leslie said, “I played in a few PTC’s and I think that will help me for next season on the Main Tour. A PTC will feel just the same but the big ranking events will be completely new for me.”
The young Scot added, “It’s also brilliant to get two seasons guaranteed on the tour and so many events too. The chance to play and travel all over the world is just amazing. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of. I’m really grateful to the support I’ve had from
the Red Triangle Club at Cumbernauld and my sponsors Billy Stirling and Alan Maxfield.”
Apart from 12 potters who qualify from the World Snooker Qualifying School (Q School), the winner of each snooker Championship organised by other international snooker associations also gets a chance to play in the qualifiers of professional tour events.
These international snooker associations include European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA), International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS).
Besides, the national snooker governing bodies in Scotland, England, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales also nominated their National Number one potter for the pro tour.
The 19-year-old Leslie has got a golden opportunity in his career to cash his snooker genius and grab a place in the professional circuit so that he can build his career among experienced hands of snooker. Playing with the top potters of the World will definitely
boost his game play and will sharpen his playing style. It will be interesting to see what type of impact Leslie will have as a professional.
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