Darren on track for Gleneagles final

Parkstone Golf Club amateur Darren Budd will line up for the final of The Lombard Trophy with one of the event’s ‘serial qualifiers’.

Train driver Budd (pictured left) makes tracks for Gleneagles where he will partner PGA Professional Martyn Thompson (right) – a past winner and finalist.

The Dorset pairing will be up against 15 other clubs in the PGA National Pro-Am Championship grand final which carries a first prize of £12,000 to the winning pro.

The final is being staged from September 3-4 over 36-holes on the PGA Centenary Course – host to next year’s Ryder Cup.

And Budd admitted that he is relaxed about the prospect of playing in a national final after slowing his preparations down to avoid burnout.

Poole-based Budd. 33, who plays off a handicap of seven, said: “Since qualifying I have just taken myself away for a little and tried to play the game for fun.

“I take the game very seriously and cannot wait for the Gleneagles final but did take a bit of a rest for a few weeks.

“I’ve been working with my coach Dave Cooper from Canford Magna and I think I’ll be prepared.”

Thompson is happy to see Budd keep his best golf for Gleneagles.

The PGA Professional won this event 10 years ago and would love to repeat that after finishing third in last year’s final.

And Thompson says it is no co-incidence that this year’s event sees several players who have been there before.

He explained: “You tend to get what I call serial finalists.

“Once you’ve done it, you know how to get back there.

“In the qualifying event, I approached it like I was playing for £12,000. That’s the difference and that’s why you’ll always see familiar faces at these events.”

But Thompson, who has also twice played in The Open, admits this final will be special.

He explained: “I’ve never played Gleneagles before so I can’t wait for that, not just to see the course but the hotel as well. It should be a great few days.”

This is the first of a three year sponsorship by Lombard, the UK's leading asset finance provider.

Ian Isaac, Lombard's interim managing director, paid tribute to all 32 finalists.

“Over the past couple of months we have welcomed golfers from more than 700 clubs throughout the UK who have participated in this prestigious event and we would like to congratulate the 16 qualifying teams who have reached the grand final at Gleneagles.”