AN ASSISTANT green-keeper from Rubery is one step away from following in the footsteps of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes with an appearance at Gleneagles.
Steve Green, who has been playing golf for about 35 years, will compete in the regional final of the Lombard Trophy final this weekend, knowing victory would see him play at the famous venue in September.
The 53-year-old’s hopes of treading the fairways of the PGA Centenary Course were boosted when he won Rose Hill Golf Club’s qualifying competition with a nett score of 70.
Green, who plays off a handicap of four, will now team up with Rose Hill PGA Professional Garry Mercer in a pairs competition at Little Aston Golf Club today (Friday).
The event will see the duo go up against 70 other club representatives for the chance to secure one of 16 prized spots available for the 36-hole grand final.
Mercer said he had not entered the competition for about ten years, but he said he and amateur golfer Green were determined to do their club proud.
“I have played at Gleneagles once before and it was a lovely course, but it would be the first time for Steve, so I am sure he will be looking to get there,” he said.
“There will be about 100 competitors there as it is quite a prestigious event. But we are in good shape and we are going to throw everything at it.”
Lombard, the UK’s largest asset finance provider, has enjoyed a long association with the event and head of sales, Ian Isaac, said it promised to be another exciting competition.
“It’s great to once again be working with The PGA to offer the opportunity for professional and amateur golfers to play some fantastic courses,” he said.
“The competition culminates at Gleneagles, which proved itself a fantastic venue for last year’s Ryder Cup and which offers a great incentive for this year’s participants.”
The tournament attracts entries from more than 700 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland. Lombard originally sponsored it from 1995 to 2006 before returning as headline sponsor in 2013.
The PGA National Pro-Am Championship has a total prize fund of £80,000, with the winning professional at the grand final taking home a cheque for £12,000.
