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12 June, 2008

Rimmer Ready For Defence Of Title

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West Midlands golfer Brian Rimmer has won the Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge, supported by BMW, twice in the last three years but that has not dampened his desire to make the trip to Bahrain again.

The Little Aston professional has actually finished top in the Midlands Region qualifier for the last three years - he was two shots off retaining his title in the 2006 grand final - and he wants to make it four in a row at The Leicestershire next week.

After last year's qualifier a couple of his friends joked the tournament should be renamed the Brian Rimmer Trophy but the defending champion said that would not make his job any more difficult when he turns up on Wednesday.

"There's no pressure. I'm just looking forward to playing in it," said Rimmer, who was 42 on Saturday.

"A couple of friends had a dig last year and they reckoned they were going to choose their captains but it is all good fun."

Rimmer won the 2007 final - which was played on the King of Bahrain's private course in a change to previous years - by three strokes after a second-round 58 which had much to do with the form of captain Neil Andrews, who carded five birdies.

Club captains at Little Aston serve a two-year term so for the first time since 2005 Rimmer will be playing with a new partner, six-handicapper Jeremy Cooke.

"The captain I have got is a good captain. Last year's captain Neil was great and he's a friend of Jeremy so there's been a bit of banter," added Rimmer.

"I think he is a little a bit nervous but we will just play and see what happens.

"The Leicestershire, for some reason, seems to suit us. There are no par fives and long par fours. It seems to prefer pros with low handicap captains.

"There is no real key to it. It is still the same feeling. Last year was slightly different because we played on the King's Course. But it's just the same, I'd like to get back there again.

"It is such a great trip and we are really looked after."

Rimmer's two closest rivals in last year's qualifier - Clive Fromant and Stephen Russell both finished joint second - are not entered this time around but there are 34 other pairs who will be looking to end the Little Aston pro's incredible run in the tournament.

The winners of the qualifier will book their place on a luxury trip to the Middle East at the end of the year, which begins by being chauffeur driven to the airport and includes a stay in a five-star hotel with the 36-hole final being played at the The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain.

Each of the PGA's seven regions provides one pair for the final, which is supplemented by the host club's professional and captain and the winners of an international qualifier.