'Sir Paul' wants to hit the right beat at Walton Heath

Beatles tribute band member Rob Simpson is hoping for a ‘Fab’ round when he plays in the Lombard Trophy at Walton Heath Golf Club.

Amateur Simpson, of south east London’s Shooters Hill Golf Club, will team up with professional Michael Worley at the qualifying event to be held on July 18 when they will be trying to reach the grand final in Portugal.

Simpson combines his golf with playing in the ‘Imagine… The Beatles’ band which recreates the Fab Four’s career and plays their hits on stage in gigs all over the country and abroad.

The 52-year-old plays the role of Sir Paul McCartney during the show. But he will hope to be more Sgt Putter than Sgt Pepper at the Surrey venue with a major prize on offer for the winners.

Simpson and Worley will aim to reach the £41,450 National Pro-Am final which is being held at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve from September 21-22.

“I’m Paul McCartney in the band - but you can call me Sir Paul! It’s something I think I was born to do as we share the same birthday, June 18! It’s a weird thing but, of course, he’s a lot older than me,” said the 12 handicapper.

“We have the suits and the wigs, all the Sgt Pepper stuff, the same guitars and amplifiers and we’ve been going about 13 years. We’re very busy.

“The show goes from the early 60s right to the end and we finish up by singing Hey Jude. We’re considered one of the best Beatles tribute bands around and we could play every week if we wanted.”

Simpson says it is no problem to fit in his golf in among the gigs.

“I organise everything and manage the band as well, so in the week I get a bit of time and play golf around three times a week,” he said.

“I’ve been playing on and off for about 30 years but I’ve been taking it seriously again for about four years after joining Shooters Hill.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Michael, who’s actually only been here as head professional about six months, and I hope ‘We can work it out’!"