Tracy overcomes hand injury after 'sweat and tears' with playing partner

Huddersfield Golf Club amateur Tracy Jeffries will take part in the WPGA Lombard Trophy qualifying round after being helped back to fitness by her professional playing partner.

Jeffries is teaming up with PGA Professional and friend Alexandra Keighley for the event which will be held at Dunham Forest Golf Club in Cheshire on June 2.

But Jeffries, who works as a tour guide for children at a working farm near Barnsley, was almost ruled out of the Dunham Forest event for more than one reason.

She had been due to fly for a holiday to Spain on that day - but is so keen to play alongside Keighley that she has delayed her flight.

And 19-handicapper Jeffries admits that it was Keighley, the first woman captain of a PGA region, who played a big part in overcoming a finger problem which was affecting her grip.

“I’ve got poorly hands and had to have some surgery, I was playing off 13,” said Jeffries, a member at Huddersfield for 20 years.

“I was unable to hold a club. But between Alex and I, we’ve persevered and she’s got me playing off 19, bless her.

“On my left hand, only my forefinger and thumb would grip, then others had given up working. We’ve been through a lot of sweat and tears the two of us.

“She’s helped me through the physical side of playing. She’s stopped me whenever I’ve felt like giving up.

“I’m so pleased I’m going to be playing with her at this event.”

The West Yorkshire pairing will aim to make it to the £7,800 Algarve grand final taking place at the Vila Sol resort between September 21-22.

But Jeffries admitted she needed to change her diary for the Dunham Forest visit.

“Alex is a good friend of mine and when she rang to say I’d qualified I told her I couldn’t play as I was on holiday,” she explained.

“So I told her I’d change my flight. Now I’m flying out after the event, that’s dedication for you!”