Hard work paying off for March

Ferndown Golf Club duo Scott Godfrey and Jack Marsh have a chance of winning Europe’s biggest pro-am when they compete in the grand final of the Lombard Trophy in sunny Portugal next week.

Head PGA Professional Godfrey and amateur Marsh will go head-to-head with 14 other clubs in the 36-hole showdown in the Algarve.

More than 700 clubs entered the popular PGA National Pro-Am Championship which reaches its climax at Pestana’s stunning Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel on the Algarve from September 21-22.

Godfrey and Marsh clinched their spot in Portugal after winning their regional qualifier at Parkstone Golf Club back in July thanks to an 11-under par 61, which also earned them £450.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work with Scott over the winter, and it’s starting to pay off now. So it’s entirely thanks to him that I got the chance to play in the regional final,” said 25-year-old operations analyst Marsh.

“I’ve always been in between a few different sports, and I decided over the winter it was time to take my more seriously. Scott’s a great coach and the benefits are there now with handicap tumbling now. It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started to play frequently.

“As for getting to the Lombard Trophy Final, I don’t know what to say. It’s a pinnacle for amateur players. It doesn’t come any bigger and I’m excited to be going to Portugal.”