Phil Jonas calls 2011 one of his most disappointing years as a professional golfer, but the prominent local teaching pro is confident better times lie ahead in 2012.

He hopes they start next week in Portugal, when he tees it up in the European Senior Tour qualifying school.

Jones will compete at one of four first-stage sites next Thursday and Friday. The first stage is only 36 holes, so there's no margin for error. The 72-hole final stage begins Jan. 30, also in Portugal.

By his standards, Jonas, who along with North Vancouver's Bryn Parry has dominated the local golf scene, had a lousy year. He went to the Champions Tour Q school this past fall without much confidence and missed getting through the first stage by a single shot.

He thinks he finally has his game sorted out.

"My bad play wasn't because of age, it was because of other stupid things," Jonas, who teaches out of Hazelmere and McCleery, said this week. "I am not planning for that to happen again any time soon. I am starting to feel good about my game again."

He knows the competition will be tough in Portugal.

"This year is the first year it's not at the same time as the Champions Tour school," said Jonas, who played the PGA Tour in 1987.

"So a lot of the guys that missed will go over there. Before, you either went to that one or the U.S. school."

Two other British Columbians, Victoria's Rick Gibson and Peace Portal pro Mark Forrest, are also heading to Portugal.

If Jonas does survive Q school, he would likely only play a limited schedule.

"The schedule is not going to be released until February so you don't really know what you've got," he said. "Last year they had about 18 tournaments. Unless I was to go over there and win one or something, I would just play here or there. If I was to make it, I figure it would be a better way of me getting on the Champions Tour having played some real golf tournaments rather than a lot of one-day events here at home."

Jones is being sponsored by West Coast Golf Group, which owns and operates Hazelmere, Swan-e-set Bay and Belmont golf courses, Company president Mike Stuart is making the trip and will caddy for Jonas in Portugal