After contemplating his future for the past 12 months, Schneider will attend the first stage of qualifying school in Melbourne next week in a bid to take the next step of his career.

The plus-one handicapper will play three rounds of stroke play and must finish in the top 35 of 113 players to advance to the next stage.

If successful, Schneider will play another four rounds and needs a similar finish to secure his card.

Schneider, 37, said yesterday he felt the timing was right to take up the challenge.

“I have probably thought about it for the past 12 months or so and I just think the time is right to have a crack,” Schneider said.

“My game is in pretty good shape at the moment and I’ll see how I go.

“I would like to think I’m a chance, but you never know.”

Schneider, who is one of the Murray District Golf Association’s most decorated players, will go into qualifying school confident after finishing runner-up to Barooga’s Terry Vogel in an Ivo Whitton Trophy tournament at Benalla last weekend.

He finished an impressive six-under after 54 holes.

“Qualifying school won’t be easy, especially if I get through the first stage,” he said.

“A lot of players who have lost their cards will be playing and I would say there will be plenty of good players determined to get through.

“I’ll have a crack anyway.”

Schneider is a member at Howlong, but regards Myrtleford as his home club and represents Victoria at state level.

The former NSW Country Championships winner has won many titles in the MDGA over the past 15 years including the Albury Inland on three occasions.

Meanwhile, Schneider and Zac Grubisa will return to Howlong’s line-up for tomorrow’s final round of MDGA scract pennant against Commercial Albury.

The pair played in the Ivo Whitton Trophy tournament at Benalla last weekend and loom as vital inclusions as the Spiders attempt to stitch up a berth in the final.

Third-paced Thurgoona must defeat Corowa and rely on Howlong slipping up against Commercial Albury to claim a top-three finish.