Sandie aiming to serve up success at Camberley Heath

Former cabin crew worker Sandie Dearden is hoping to take off at Camberley Heath Golf Club in the WPGA Lombard Trophy qualifying event.

The East Sussex amateur will team up with The Dyke Golf Club professional Sophie Kennard when they tee off on July 24 aiming to secure a place in the Portugal final.

The Seaford-based player retired from her job staffing long haul airline flights. But a successful day at Camberley Heath would see her airborne again.

She and Kennard will be hoping to make the £7,800, 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.

“I used to work on trips to Hong Kong as well as the European routes, but I’ve been out of that for four years now,” explained Sandie.

“That’s given me a little more time to concentrate on my golf. But I've never played in anything like this before. So I’m really looking forward to it since I won the competition to play alongside Sophie.”

But Sandie, who plays off a handicap of 13, hopes she is not tempting fate at the Surrey venue by confessing to an encouraging year on the course.

“I’ve been playing golf for over 20 years now and I like to think I’ve made a steady improvement during that time, my lowest handicap has been around 10,” she said.

“But I wasn’t aware of how big a competition the Lombard Trophy is when I won the club competition.

“I’ve never played at Camberley Heath but I like to play at different courses, that’s always a challenge.”

“My game has been quite good lately - but that’s probably the kiss of death now!”