Not since he won his first European Tour card has Richard Bland been so excited about what lies ahead.

Even as the Stoneham ace enjoys a few weeks of welcome rest following another taxing campaign, there is already a sense of anticipation for what 2015 will bring.

“It’s probably the most excited I’ve been since my first year – that first time you get your card and you’re going up against the best and thinking ‘how are you going to do?’ I really am excited for next year,” says Bland, who is set to embark on his 14th season on Tour.

“I know I sit here every year and say ‘I think I can do this, I think I can do this,’ but this year has proved that I can do it.”

Bland’s confidence stems from a season in which he finished 66th in the order of merit, produced his lowest ever stroke average, earned three top-five finishes and picked up more than €500,000 in prize money.

He also reached the Tour’s prestigious Final Series, for which only the top players qualify, competing against many of the world’s best at the BMW Masters, in China, and the Turkish Airlines Open.

“I know I can compete with them,” he says, of going up against the Tour’s elite players.

“I’ve always known that, but then suddenly when you do play those tournaments it’s just that little bit of confirmation that you can do it and you do belong there.

“Just for your confidence, that’s a big step forward. That’s why I’m really excited for next year.”

This season has certainly made for a welcome change from the past few years, when Bland has been scrambling just to keep hold of his status on Tour.

A trip to qualifying school was necessary in 2011, with that being followed by two campaigns where he held onto his card by the narrowest of margins.

“From where I’ve been the last two years, it’s a big step forward,” he says.

“It’s a season where I don’t think I’ve played outstandingly well, it’s just been a lot more consistent.

“Every part of my game has improved slightly, and that’s shown in order of merit and my stats.”

So, what were the reasons behind Bland’s improvement?

Most obviously, the 41-year-old did not suffer from injury, after a 2013 campaign in which a double stress fracture caused significant back discomfort, before being followed by a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery at the end of the season.

“I think I played three or four tournaments last year where I was pain-free, whereas I’ve played every tournament this year pain-free,” he said.

“This year I was able to practise a bit harder and ultimately get the results to put me in the position I got to.”

There is another reason Bland cites for his impressive level of performance, and that is his peace of mind off the course.

After a divorce that badly affected his form, beginning from the 2011 season, Bland has found happiness again in his private life and is living with his new girlfriend, near Basingstoke.

“When your mind’s at peace, it allows you to express yourself more on the course, which is ultimately what you want,” he says.

“I’m happy in my private life with Lou and we moved into a new house a year ago, so I’m very, very happy off the course.”

Bland also highlights the work he does with trusted coach Tim Barter, who he will spend time with again ahead of his season debut, at the Abu Dhabi Championship, in mid-January.

With his game already in fine shape, he hopes to sharpen things up enough so that he can challenge for a top 60 finish in the order of merit – which would get him into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai – and finally get that first win on Tour.

“Everything’s there,” he says. “It’s down to me to play the golf to do it. If I don’t do it, I’ve only got myself to blame for it.”

While Bland is in a relaxed mood as he sits in the Stoneham clubhouse and reflects on 2014, there is only one point when that slips a little.

“I should have won that Africa Open hands down,” he says, ruefully. “That was a tough one to swallow.”

Then, back in February, Bland had started the final day four shots off the lead, but as some of those ahead of him fell back, he could not quite capitalise and instead ended up watching his playing partner that day, Thomas Aiken, take the win.

“I just had one of those days on the greens where nothing wanted to go in,” he says.

“But that’s all part of the learning process.”

As frustrating as it was, Bland hopes that experience will help get him over the hump this time.

The same is true of the additional practice he is doing at The Wisley, near Woking.

While he says Stoneham will always be his home and the club he plays for, Bland has also joined the course near his new base to take advantage of their “out of this world” facilities.

“I had an interesting chat, I think in Morocco, with Anthony Wall,” he says.

“He talked the same way as I did – I’m 40 years old, how much longer have I got? Who knows.

“He said ‘However long you’ve got, you’ve got to invest in yourself.’

“Stoneham have been unbelievable to me. I think I would have been here 17 years in May, and they’ve never asked anything of me.

“I owe Stoneham a lot, and I don’t think I could probably ever repay them what they’ve given me.

“But I also knew if I’m going to practise better that I’ve got to be at better facilities, so I still come and play here, but, when I practise, I practise at The Wisley.

“I think I joined there in June, so that’s maybe why I played a bit more consistent towards the end of the year, because the practice I’m doing is better.”

It is all part of Bland’s plan to get as much out of himself as possible.

“I’m 42 in February, so as much as you want to be positive about things, I’m also a realist,” he says.

“How much longer have I got left? I don’t know. The next five or ten years is about getting the absolute best out of yourself, which you always do, but I think it’s even more so now, so when you hang them up you can say ‘I did everything I could’.

“I’m going to be doing everything I can to make that next step forward.”