Carty comes close to pro snooker card

Snooker prodigy Ash Carty just missed out on a two-year professional snooker card, with a narrow defeat last week.
Snooker coach Darren Presgrave and his student Ash Carty play against each other in the Worksop Snooker League's scratch competition final (w120519-7c)Snooker coach Darren Presgrave and his student Ash Carty play against each other in the Worksop Snooker League's scratch competition final (w120519-7c)
Snooker coach Darren Presgrave and his student Ash Carty play against each other in the Worksop Snooker League's scratch competition final (w120519-7c)

The teenager from Thurcroft, who has learned his trade at North Notts Arena in Worksop, went down 4-3 to Scotland’s Fraser Patrick in round five of the World Snooker qualifying school in Sheffield.

Victory would have earned Carty a professional card for the next two years – but losing to Patrick has not ended his chances of becoming a full-time player.

His recent performances have caught the attention of the snooker authorities, and he’s being put forward for exciting opportunities.

Dad John told the Guardian: “Ash had a phone call last Thursday and was invited to play in the qualifiers for the Wuxi Classic/China Open and the Australian Open.”

“We are all very excited about it.”

The qualifiers for the Wuxi Classic were held this week at South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, where Carty gave world number 25 Martin Gould a scare.

Gould, a heavy favourite, took a 4-1 frame lead. But Carty fought back bravely to level the match, before the professional’s experience told with a final frame victory.

Seventeen-year-old Carty will now turn his attention to the Australian Open Qualifiers, from 30th May to 3rd June.

The modest youngster was quick to deflect praise for his achievements, and express his gratitude for those who have helped him in his recent achievements.

“I was gutted to lose out by just one frame in the qualifying school tourname, but I played well and took a lot of positives from the experience”

“I’m very excited about being invited to play in the Wuxi Classic/China Open and Australian Open qualifiers.”

“And I’d like to thank my coach Darren Presgrave and my sponsor Shaun Hudson from Hudson’s Removals and Distribution.”

“Without his support I’d never been able to play in Serbia and in other tournaments across England, Wales and Scotland.”

Carty, and father John also added their thanks to North Notts Arena and their snooker academy, where his journey began five years ago.

Secretary of the Worksop Snooker League Mick Camm is delighted with Carty’s progress.

He said: “I’d like to wish Ash all the best for the future and I hope he gets the success he deserves.”