Pilot Frank hoping to soar at Sandy Lodge

Ward's pro partner Peter Cherry.

Pilot Frank Ward aims to be flying off to the sun for a different reason in the Lombard Trophy this year.

The Ashridge Golf Club amateur is playing in the qualifying round of the event which is being held at Sandy Lodge Golf Club on July 20 - with the incentive of a Portugal final appearance for the winning pair.

Berkhamsted-based Ward will partner experienced PGA Professional Peter Cherry who been at Ashridge for 10 years.

Ward is used to navigating commercial aircraft to holiday destinations in his job as a Monarch Airlines pilot.

But victory at Sandy Lodge would see both himself and Cherry whisked off to the £41,450, Coca Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, Lombard Trophy National Pro-Am final which is being held at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve from September 21-22.

Five handicapper Ward, aged 51, knows there is a job to be done at the Hertfordshire course before that can happen.

Ward manages to fit in golf around his flight schedules and is well used to heading to holiday hotspots.

“We fly all over Europe and the furthest we go is down to Israel, but at this time of year it’s mainly Spain, Portugal and Turkey,” he said.

“It’s more work at the moment as summer’s our busy time, and I tend to get  lot more time off in the winter. I try and get out to play golf when I can - but I got the day off as soon as I realised I had the chance to play with Peter.”

Ward admits this will be a new situation for both players even though they know each other well.

“Myself and Peter have never taken part in a pairs before although we have played together on other events,” he said.

“But he’s a very good player and I’ve got to know him over the four or five years that I’ve been at Ashridge.

“I started playing golf from the age of eight or nine as a junior and have been ever since.”