Robert Leonard (Mid Herts) and Craig Lockwood, from the Regiment Way club in Chelmsford, are two 'likely lads' among a host of fine young PGA assistants in the East Region.
And from a field of around 60 heading to Witham's Benton Hall complex on Monday (June 8) to take part in Britain and Ireland's flagship event for young professionals - the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship in association with FootJoy - those two have impressive credentials.
Last week Leonard was in the frame to win his first 36-hole Order of Merit event, the Woolston Manor Classic, but a crushing double bogey at the 36th hole slid him from tied first to fourth, the difference between £2,000 and £600.
His coach and Mid Herts head pro, Barney Puttick, reckons Leonard, a fine ball striker, needs to improve his short game.
"I use Robert Rock as an inspiration for these young fellows. Maybe they can't all be Rory McIlroys but Rock was just an ambitious young Midland pro - and look at his bank balance now."
Craig Lockwood, who's 22, caught the eye earlier this summer by being named the PGA's Player of the Month for April, thanks to winning three qualifiers for Order of Merit events.
Formerly a successful amateur playing off plus two, Lockwood was forced out of the game for eight months with a wrist injury, and a handicap review bumped him up to 1.3, not good enough to find places in the major amateur championships. That prompted him to turn professional two years ago.
The leading 17 players at Benton Hall will contest the 54-hole Powerade final at The London Club, near Brands Hatch in Kent, where the winner picks up £5,000 and gains entry to next year's PGA Championship at Wentworth.
03 June, 2009