Ronnie on song after Lombard triumph

Lee Park Golf Club amateur Ronnie Singleton (pictured left) admitted it was a dream come true to play at Gleneagles after reaching the final of The Lombard Trophy.

Singleton partnered PGA Professional Chris Crowder as they won the latest regional final of the PGA National Pro-Am Championship at Dunham Forest Golf Club by just one shot.

The Liverpool duo carded an impressive nine-under-par round of 63 at the Cheshire venue.

But they were forced into a tense wait as three teams produced rounds of 64 before Singleton and Crowder’s victory was confirmed.

Now the Lee Park pairing will play in the £43,600 grand final which is being held at Gleneagles in Scotland - the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup - on September 3-4.

And that will be a special moment for Singleton, aged 71, who plays off a handicap of 18.

He admitted: “I’ve played at St Andrews and Carnoustie in the past, and I have always wanted to play at Gleneagles but thought it was a bit expensive!

“So now I’ll be going there for the final which is a dream come true for me.

“And it’s a nice reward as I do some voluntary work at the golf club, and that’s how I got to know Chris so well. I think if I’d been with any other Professional then I might have been too nervous to try some of my shots.

“I get on with Chris though and he made me feel very comfortable out there. It was a great day.”

Singleton counts former Liverpool footballer John Aldridge among his regular playing partners and now the former bus driver is hoping to score a major success in Scotland.

Singleton added: “I’ve had holes in one over the years, but this is the biggest thing I’ve ever done in golf.”

Crowder admitted he was relishing the chance to play at Gleneagles.

The Lee Park Professional said: “It’s an awesome prize to play the final at the Ryder Cup venue – it’s going to be something special.

“We thought we’d done enough to win but it turned out to be a nervous wait as a few teams came at us at the end.”