The dream effectively became a reality on a July Sunday in Ballymena.
Conor Purcell's first professional win at the Black Desert Northern Ireland Open elevated him to fourth place in the Challenge Tour Order of Merit.
His DP World Tour card for the 2025 season was all but guaranteed.
Following on from his success at Galgorm Castle a second Challenge Tour win came in October, at the inaugural Hangzhou Open in China. Three birdies on the closing four holes helped Purcell to a comfortable four-stroke win.
"For the first one to be up at Galgorm, so close to home, and to have family and friends was just amazing, and then quickly followed with a second one, it all happened very quickly."
The 27-year-old Dubliner almost won his Tour card in 2023. He holds a Category 15 card for this season, having finished among the top 22 players in the final Road to Mallorca Challenge Tour standings.
"I feel like I've come through every stage over the last few years," he said. "Four years ago it would have been a big jump, but now I feel like I've earned my stripes at each level. Hopefully I can be at home straight away."
Purcell doesn't have far to look for first-hand advice about life on Tour. His father Joey played on the European Tour, and subsequently spent many years as the Portmarnock Club professional. Purcell Snr finished in a share of eighth place at the 1980 Spanish Open alongside, amongst others, Des Smyth and multiple major winners Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle.
"It's cool to follow in his footsteps. When I started my career I had fond memories of him playing, I'm sure he's proud watching me play. Hopefully I can achieve some good things for the family."
The benefits of countless hours of playing and practice at Portmarnock are obvious.
"I was here so young and probably became a member when I was about 13," Purcell went on.
"It's one of the best places in the country to grow up and learn the game."
The de facto home of the Irish Open during a golden period for the tournament in the 1980s is in line to stage the Open Championship in the next decade.
"Any time I'm home I practice here. there aren't too many better places abroad, it's been a great place to learn the game," Purcell said of the famed links.
His sporting talents are not restricted to golf, having briefly flirted with the idea of a career in tennis.
"I played a lot as a junior and was highly ranked in Ireland but I think golf took my love pretty quickly. When I first picked up a club I seemed to drop tennis quite quickly."
Ultimately Purcell hopes to join the growing Irish contingent on the PGA Tour.
"For now it's DP World Tour but hopefully I can push on. There's more to do in the game, majors to play in, the PGA Tour, and hopefully I'll keep working away and climbing the ranks."
Approach play is a particular strength of his game.
"I gave myself plenty of chances last season every week, even when I wasn't really firing, it's about improvement in all areas," he said. "This game, more than ever, is becoming more bunched at the top. It's nice to know I've gotten over the line twice this year, hopefully I can do it again."
Coping mechanisms for golf's inevitable disappointments and frustrations are in place.
"It's probably something I've learned a little bit. Early in my career I was a bit naive, thinking success will come a lot easier than it does. I think the hard times in golf probably teach you a lot more than the times you end up winning.
"Over the last few years I've had some close calls when I haven't got over the line and I've had some disappointing weekends. I think it's told me a lot about myself. I've got a team around me that I can lean on I feel like I'm building myself up to be able to withstand the good and the bad which is what you need in the game."
The task facing Purcell this season is sizeable, evident by two missed cuts in December, at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and Mauritius Open.
After a spell back in Dublin for the Christmas and new year period, Purcell is hoping to return action at the Emirates Golf Club in January, where Rory McIlroy will be bidding for a third successive, and fifth overall, Dubai Desert Classic title.
