Ex-sailor hoping to drop anchor at Gleneagles final

Devon golfer Phil Pascoe is hoping for plain sailing all the way to Gleneagles as he bids for a place in the Lombard Trophy grand final.

The Staddon Heights Golf Club amateur will partner PGA Professional Nick Horrocks in the regional final at Bovey Castle Golf Club, Devon, on June 28.

If they claim victory they will be rewarded with a place in the £43,600 grand final, which will take place over the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles on September 3-4.

Plymouth-based Pascoe is a 59-year-old semi-retired marine biologist who, until recently, spent a large portion of his life at sea.

He was a keen sailor before one epic trip persuaded him to drop anchor and take up golf instead.

“I spent nine months doing the Atlantic Circuit and after that I decided it was time to sell my boat and seek terra firma,” he explained.

“It was a trip that took me from Plymouth out to the north of Spain and the Canaries before going to the Caribbean and back up via Bermuda.

“But I was fed up of the boat by that time.”

After years studying the effects of pollution on marine animals, Pascoe has enjoyed the challenge of working on his ability as a golfer.

“I’ve actually only been playing golf for three years,” he added “but I’ve got my handicap down to nine so it’s going well.

“When I worked I didn’t have the time I needed to play golf, but now I have.”

Pascoe believes he is in good hands with Horrocks, who in addition to all the skills and expertise he brings to running golf operations at the club, also has tournament experience at elite level having played on the Challenge Tour.

He said: “We’ll be getting together for practice soon; Nick’s been in good form recently so we’ll be giving it a go.

“The thought of getting to Gleneagles is a great incentive but as only one team can get there from this event we know we’ll have to be on top form.”

Other players taking part at Bovey Castle include the home pairing of Richard Lewis and Alan White; David Haines and Graham Exton (Brean Golf Club); Simon Edwards and Allan Stather (Builth Wells); Nick Rodgers and Tim Old (Came Down); Robert Glazier and Bruce Blackie (Dartmouth); and Jonathan Longmead and Tyrone France (Exminster).