A rap-singing golf club captain and his marathon man golf professional will be looking to hit the right notes and have the stamina when they compete for one of the PGA's national titles in Bahrain at the end of the month.
Denton PGA professional Mike Hollingworth and captain Paul Nuttall, who plays off a handicap of seven, will team up again for the final of the Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge supported by BMW having booked their place in the 36-hole showdown over the Montgomerie Course at The Royal Golf Club.
Reaching the final caps a memorable year at the Manchester club, which is celebrating its centenary. Winning the tournament, which Hollingworth is trying to do at the third time of asking, would be the icing on the cake.
Reflecting on the club's anniversary Hollingworth said: "It has been a great year for the club and I'm happy to have played my part.
"I did the 100 holes in a day challenge, raising £4,000 for charity and managed to finish one-under-par. I played the last round with Paul and he pledged to donate £250 if I finished under par, so it was good to achieve that.
"We also had a festival of golf, with various tournaments, I organised a barbecue and cooked for the juniors and we also had a Denton's Got Talent, where Paul performed an 80s rap song word for word. He was brilliant."
As they prepare to jet off to the final, which includes being chauffeur driven in a BMW to the airport and a luxurious stay in the Middle East kingdom from October 26-31, Hollingworth hopes that his past experience can count having seen his chance of victory dashed in 2006 because of the heat.
"We're playing four weeks earlier than when I was last in the final in 2006 but I can guarantee it's going to be warm!" said Hollingworth.
"It helps to know what you're heading into as the heat did affect me and my captain that day so it's about managing to deal with it when you're out there."
In all nine teams will compete for the title, one from each of the PGA regions, the host club plus an international team.
In addition to the title, there is a £7,500 professional prize fund at stake.
Royal Golf Club professional and general manager Mike Braidwood, who is competing in the event and looking to win the tournament for a second time, is relishing the competition and welcoming the competitors.
"We are looking forward to hosting this year's final on our spectacular new Colin Montgomerie designed course, he said.
"The course has really matured this year since its official opening last November and all of our other facilities are now complete. I think the competitors from the UK and Ireland will be bowled over when they see the new Royal Golf Club.
"This year's field looks one of the strongest assembled for the finals so it looks set to be an excellent week of competition."
Gulf Air chief commercial officer Willy Boulter commented: "We are very pleased to be associated with this highly prestigious sporting event once again this year.
"The tournament provides an excellent platform to showcase Bahrain as a tourist destination and educate a wider audience about Business Friendly Bahrain and our award-winning airline.
"As the national carrier we are proud to be ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain."
26 October, 2009