Having shared Florida fairways earlier this month in their successful quest of USPGA Tour cards, Keith Nolan and Richie Coughlan will be spending Christmas almost 4,000 miles apart. While Coughlan is being feted in his native Birr, Nolan will be in Knoxville, Tennessee, missing his family.

They also have different plans for the New Year and the start of their careers as tournament professionals. Nolan intends to play two Nike Tour events before embarking on the regular tour at Pebble Beach, Coughlan is looking to play in the five-round Bob Hope Classic from January 14th to 18th.

"Obviously we're disappointed - Keith missed only one Christmas with us in his four years at college," said the player's father, Peter, from the family home in Bray, Co Wicklow. But the reigning Irish Amateur Open Strokeplay champion will enjoy the festive season at the home of his girlfriend, Yolanda.

But it's still a wrench not to be coming home. "I have so many things to take care of right now that I simply couldn't afford the time," said Nolan yesterday. "Obviously I'm going to miss my family and all my friends in Bray, especially at this time of year.

"I went back to East Tennessee last Thursday to tie up some loose ends. The golf coach, Fred Warren, was naturally pleased with what I'd done and he pointed out that there would be four East Tennessee graduates on tour next season, the others being Bobby Wadkins, Bobby Gage and Mike Hulbert."

Nolan went on: "I will be making my tournament debut in the Nike Lakeland Classic in Florida on January 8th to 11th and I plan to play another Nike event in Miami the following week. After that, I will head for California and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am starting on the 29th."

Coughlan crossed the Atlantic last week, but spent some time with his management company in London before making the last leg of the trip home to Birr. Around his home on High Street, neighbours, friends and other wellwishers had prepared an appropriate welcome of flags, bunting and banners.

"Since then, it's been one, big round of parties," he said yesterday. "The golf club had a do for me last night (Sunday) and the local Urban District Council are giving me a civic reception tonight."

He went on: "I've still found time for golf every day. I shot a two-under-par 68 in a fourball at Birr last Saturday, but still lost money once again to Jim McMenamin, a local bank manager. And I was four-under for 16 holes yesterday (Sunday)." His last game as an amateur was in August when he set a record 65 for the new course at Tullamore.

The American-based duo are planning to play in the Murphy's Irish Open and the Smurfit European Open, but unlike Coughlan, who is qualified on both sides of the Atlantic, Nolan will be depending on sponsors' invitations. "I hope to play in Druids Glen and in the Loch Lomond Invitational before trying to qualify for the British Open at Royal Birkdale," he said.

Nolan went on: "One of the reasons I signed for IMG was that they would be able to open doors like the Loch Lomond invite. In the meantime, I can't wait to get started. I shot 65 with a few friends last Friday and won about $400. Now that I'm a professional, I have to be conscious of adding to the $6,000 I got from the Qualifying School.

"I'm looking forward to meeting up with Richie in the New Year. We're good friends and I expect we'll be looking out for each other on tour."

As an amateur, Nolan played in the Irish Open at Mount Juliet in 1994 when he was joint leading Irishman after the opening day. But Coughlan has unhappy memories of competing at Druids Glen a year later, having qualified for a place at winner of the Waterford Scratch Trophy.

"I was jetlagged and my clubs were stolen en route from the States," he said. "In the circumstances, it was no great surprise that I shot 85 and 78 to miss the cut. "I expect that my exempt status in Europe will be good enough to get me into the Irish Open and the European Open. One thing is certain: I plan to make use of my European tour card, possibly around the time of the US Open if I fail to get into the field at the Olympic Club."

Whatever their aspirations, the future promises to be exciting for these gifted rookies. And an indication of their determination to succeed, was Coughlan's presence yesterday in wind and rain, hitting balls at the Michael Horan Golf Range in Birr. "I just happen to enjoy what I do," he said simply.