Ray set himself up for the 2001 season when he finished a brave fifth at the 2000 Seniors Qualifying School in Spain. Finished the 2000 season in 74th place on the Order of Merit but maximised his potential starts in 2001 after recording rounds of 71, 73 and 74 at PGA Golf de Catalunya. A former Irish amateur international who dropped out of the game for a while before turning 50 in 1995.