Major sponsorship deal for Billy Castle
TWO Southampton businessmen has put their money where their mouths are after declaring that Marchwood star Billy Castle can “definitely” turn professional.
The Home Agency has signed a sponsorship deal that will finance some of the 20-year-old’s tournament entries.
Castle, a Cuestars Championship Tour and Under-21 Gold Tour player, reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 IBSF World Championship in Bulgaria and he’s in the last-16 of the English Amateur Championship.
Adam Nash, who jointly owns the London Rd-based estate agents and lettings firm with Kevin Knight, said: “Billy’s doing really well at the moment in amateur snooker, nationally and domestically.
“We are just trying to help him along so he can fulfill his potential.
“We’ve selected various tournaments where he’s got the best chance to get a pro-ticket.”
Nash described naturally-gifted Castle as “fearless” and added: “It doesn’t really matter who he plays, he doesn’t get caught in the headlights.
“And he’s proved it. He just needs the right guidance to channel that. We all know how tough it is but he’s certainly got a good chance.”
Castle said: “You’ve got to work and some days you don’t get to practise. It’ll take a lot of pressure off me.”
Nash is in talks with Churchills, Eastleigh, in a bid to provide the up-and-coming star with a top-quality practice facility.
Castle takes on Mike Finn in the Town Championship final at Bitterne Conservative Club on Thursday at 7.30pm.
“It’ll be a tougher match for him this year. I guarantee it,” warned Castle, who was beaten 4-2 by Finn in last year’s final.
Picture by Tim Dunkley: Billy Castle (left) and Adam Nash