From selling mars bars to 5th in the world

Ian Poulter, who is ranked fifth in the world, is the latest player to join the field for the $6.4 million Zurich Classic of New Orleans to be played April 22-25 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.The Englishman who has started the year off in fine form is winning over the public and is establishing a firm fan base on the PGA tour.He is known to some in the media as Mr Marmite a real love him or hate him character but what ever your opinion he deserves a lot of credit from how he started out and where he is today.

Ian Poulter started out in golf the hard way working in a pro shop in his home town selling Mars bars, to make things worse he was not encouraged to play golf his boss at the time forced him to pay green fees on competition days.At 19 he decided to turn pro but as for so many needed a sponsor and along came his big break a member from the golf club who sold cars for a living and he had known for years agreed to give him what he needed and that was the start. He won a challenge tour event and later the same year won his tour card.In his first full year on the European tour he won the Italian Open and was named Henry Cotton Rookie of the year for 2000.

As we stand today Ian Poulter is ranked 5 in the world 7th on the PGA tour money list and has just finished tied 10th in the US Masters,he is a member of both the European and USPGA tours and has houses in Lake Nona Florida and Milton Keynes England where he lives with his family. He has his own fashion label www.ijpdesign.com many sports cars and it is fair to say is enjoying life.

Lake Nona in Orlando is the residence for many sports stars and Ian has Tiger and Justin Rose as his neighbours but do you know who is next door neighbour is ? Its the member who sold cars for a living who sponsored him all those years ago and gave him the opportunity that he has grasped with both hands. While all the management companies like IMG and ISM keep chasing him for his signature he has remained loyal to the guy who helped him from the begining so whatever your opinion of Ian James Poulter the boy has done well and I wish him every success.