Kent’s Barry Hawkins hopes 2017 will be a year to remember starting at The Masters which begins next week.

The 37 year old from Ditton near Maidstone is currently ranked as number 12 in the world going into next week’s Masters event at Alexandra Palace in London.

The one week tournament sees the top sixteen players in the world battle it out for the winner’s prize of £200,000 with coverage live on BBC.

Having had a consistent year in 2016, Hawkins is hoping this year will see him go one step further and pick up a tournament win:

“The Masters is always something to look forward to, especially after getting to the final last year (losing 10-1 to Ronnie O’Sullivan). I’ve got some good memories there now after spending five years there getting beaten in the First Round.”

“With the sixteen best players in the world there, each match could be like a final and I’ve got Shaun Murphy in the First Round which will be tough, but then saying that, all of the games will be tough.”

“I need to be on the top of my game to get through that one. I had a good couple of weeks off over Christmas and that was good seeing as how busy it’s been throughout the year.”

“We spent Christmas at home and then spent a week in France with friends, so it was nice to get away and forget about snooker for a while.”

“I’ve come back to the table feeling fresh and wanting to play again.”

“In 2016 I didn’t play in every tournament and played pretty well. I was gutted not to win the Northern Ireland Trophy against Mark King, especially seeing as I was leading that final 5-1.”

“That was one that got away, but I can’t be too hard on myself and hopefully there is a big win around the corner for me.”

“I want to go that one step further this year and win something, but it will be tough as winning one of the Majors is everyone’s target.”

With snooker becoming more and more of an international game, travelling to different continents to take part in tournaments is part and parcel of any snooker player’s itinerary and it’s not something Hawkins especially enjoys:

“On the tour, I’m probably known as one of the worst travellers, although I’ve got better over the last few years.”

“Going to China can be quite tough. I know it’s part of my job, but at the same time I miss home and spending time with my son, and my wife of course!”

“I think it’s held me back in the past as I’ve not looked forward to going and when I’ve got there, I’ve not been looking forward to playing and then I couldn’t wait to get home.”

“That doesn’t do you any good at all as there are some really good tournaments in China and it’s something I’ve been trying to work on as it can work out well financially playing well out there.”

In the past few months Hawkins has been sponsored by local venue K Sports and he’s hoping in the coming months he’ll be able to start training at the Ditton venue:

“It’s been a great help having K Sports on board and I really appreciate their support. If all goes to plan, I will be able to walk to training!”

Snooker saw its peak in the 1980’s with the likes of Steve Davis and Jimmy White becoming household names, but it’s suffered from a lack of coverage in the following decades.

The past few years have seen snooker being televised more extensively and coverage by the BBC showing the sport to a wide audience, but Hawkins feels there is more to come as there are some great characters in his era:

“I think the game has just become more professional with more money in the game. People are playing for their livelyhoods. Years ago there was a laugh and a joke around the table and that does still happen, but people are always trying to do their best and earn a living for their families.”

“As far as characters are concerned, there are some really big ones, but maybe that doesn’t come across so much on the TV.”

“In the 80s, the game was really popular and I think that was down to the fact we didn’t have that many channels to watch and that doesn’t help now as there is so much choice, but it’s definitely got better since Barry Hearn took over.”

As for the future of the game, Hawkins hopes there will be more youngsters picking up a cue for the first time and falling in love with snooker as much as he did as a kid:

“It’s harder for newcomers coming onto the tour to make a living and that may put people off. When you come onto the tour you can be up against a top player straight away whereas before they would have been playing players ranked in their area.”

“As far as grassroots is concerned, things need to improve and it will be great to see more youngsters involved.”

“That’s what K Sports are looking to do and if they do have me based there long term, maybe we can get some junior clubs set up.”

Hawkins plays his first round match of The Masters against Shaun Murphy on Wednesday January 18th at 7pm with coverage live on Eurosport and later on BBC2.