EDDIE Pepperell entertained a bumper audience of 200 at a special evening at Frilford Heath, writes JACK JOHNSON.

The 24-year-old from Abingdon, ranked 121 in the world, spoke about his career on the European Tour and was joined by caddie Jamie Herbert.

Frilford have organised similar evenings over the last two years with audiences growing from 75 people in 2013 to 125 last year.

The club’s star golfer and Herbert were interviewed by Frilford’s executive director Alistair Booth, before being quizzed by the audience.

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Questions varied from his favourite course, Zandvoort in the Netherlands, to playing partners.

It even emerged Pepperell snapped 15 clubs last year and has put on two stone of muscle since May 2013.

Frilford still sponsor the rising star, who has pledged to donate £8,000 a year towards the development of junior players in Oxfordshire.

Pepperell, 36th in the tour’s rankings, said: “I wasn’t expecting as many as last year and it suggests more and more people are interested, which is good.

“I enjoy talking and it is nice that it has come around every year for the last two years.

“It gives me an opportunity to share some experiences with the guys who are genuinely interested in seeing it from my perspective.”

Despite pulling out of the Maybank Malaysian Open with illness, Pepperell has had a promising start to 2015, with a fourth place at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in January.

Booth was pleased with the evening and is backing Pepperell to win his first title on the European Tour sooner rather than later.

He said: “Eddie is a very mature young man who is disciplined and determined and has that winning instinct.

“The golfing world – all the main pundits – believe he is going to be on the winner’s rostrum in the not too distant future and we’re proud to be associated with him.”

Pepperell, who has signed a threeyear contract with sportswear company Wolsey, returns to action at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco on March 26.

CLUB RESULTS

OXFORD CITY

Dragon Trophy: 1 P Higgins 71-5=66 (cb), 2 J Hudgell 84-18=66, 3 P Craft 81-13=68.

NORTH OXFORD

RNLI Charity Medal: 1 M Fitchett 76-18=58, 2 J Richens 80-16=64 (cb), 3 D Morris 85-21=64.

Gents v Juniors: Gents 5, Juniors 0.