Windermere pair hope to pass Dunham Forest test

University lecturer Ian Gordon believes he and Simon Edwards (pictured) can claim victory in the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge regional qualifier.



The Windermere Golf Club duo will take part in the event to be held at Dunham Forest Golf Club in Cheshire on Friday 2 August.

They will be aiming to make it through to the £25,000 challenge final over the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey from November 21-22.

Captain Gordon hopes that former PGA Cup player Edwards’s reputation as one of the more experienced players in the competition means they have a chance of being among the challengers.

And the Lancaster University lecturer says that, as well as being a great player, Edwards is a highly respected member of the Lake District club.

Kendal-based Gordon explained: “Simon’s valued a great deal at Windermere both as a player and a teacher.

“He works hard with our members, not just giving lessons, but also passing on little tips and tricks that they can take into their game and, as a result, the average handicap at the club has come down.

“He’s a terrific teacher, but despite his experience as a player he doesn’t take himself too seriously.”

Gordon, aged 60, plays off a handicap of 13 and he is optimistic that the Windermere pair can reach the Turkey-based final.

He added: “We play quite a lot as a pairing, we do quite well but that’s down to Simon.

“We’ll be going there thinking and expecting we can win, but my putter might have other ideas about that!

“Our philosophy at the club is to have fun while playing golf so that’s what we’ll take into the event.”


Other teams taking part at Dunham Forest include Scott Connor and Ian Fyfe (Manchester); Simon Williamson and Graham Ashton (Lytham Green Drive); Anthony Miller and Brian Daniels (Ellesmere); Scott Booth and Jim Draper (Chester); and Mark Harling and Stuart Padbury (Accrington & District).