An Edinburgh banker cashed in the round of his life to win a place in Europe's biggest pro-am.
David Kidd, a member of Prestonfield - the closest golf club to the capital's city centre - teamed up with head professional Gavin Cook to top the Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship regional final at Crieff.
The pair combined to impressive effect to shoot a 10-under-par 61 to win by two shots from a trio of clubs - Ian Bratton and Liam McLeod (Newburgh), Martin Piggott and Brian Gribbon (Loch Ness) and Campbell Elliott and Graham Pascal (Haggs Castle).
Kidd, who began the year as a 20 handicapper but has come down to 15 after winning a couple of medals, was in red-hot form, firing an impressive one over scratch over the opening nine holes to move them to seven-under-par.
Tartan Tour regular Cook then stepped in to sink decisive birdies on the last two holes to clinch victory. Awaiting the duo is a 36-hole grand final at Turkey's Antalya Golf Club where they will take on 15 other finalists from across Great Britain and Ireland over the PGA Sultan Course.They will also enjoy an all expenses stay at the Sirene Beach & Hotel Resort.
"It's the biggest thing I've ever achieved in golf. I've only been playing seriously four or five years," said Kidd, aged 48 who is a senior change analyst with the Royal Bank of Scotland.
"I played last night and had a mare but today turned up and played as well as I've ever played. I can't believe that we're going to be heading to Turkey in December to play in the grand final.
"I've already told a few friends - I can't repeat what they said but 'jammy' cropped up a few times."
Cook, who has been head pro at Prestonfield for nearly five years, admitted he felt they were on to a winner as they reached the turn in 30 strokes but wasn't letting on to his partner.
"Out in 30 is pretty good going by any stretch but I didn't want to say too much to David because I thought nine or 10 under might be close to winning it so I didn't want to pile the pressure on," he said. "We faltered a bit on 11 and 12 but managed a birdie, birdie finish. David was just fantastic, to play the front nine in one over scratch is pretty impressive."
30 June, 2009