A DUO representing Hartford Golf Club will have a chance to win Europe’s biggest pro-am competition when they compete in the Lombard Trophy’s grand final.
PGA professional Adam Powell and amateur Matt Leach have travelled to Portugal, where they go head-to-head with rivals from 13 other clubs in a 36-hole showdown.
“I’ve been practicing hard rather than sitting in front of the TV,” said Leach, a 19-handicapper who only played in the concluding regional qualifier as a late replacement after receiving a phone call the night before.
Hartford’s original amateur had fallen ill, while his stand-in could not get time off work.
Leach worked at Hartford before switching at the end of last year to a role as manager at sister club Pryors Hayes.
Together with Powell, he secured a place in the final by carding an 11-under-par 61 at Dunham Forest back in June.
They will hope to bring back the largest share of a £41,500 prize fund, which includes £12,000 for the winning professional, from Pestana’s Vila Sol Golf and Resort Hotel on the Algarve.
More than 700 clubs entered the popular annual tournament.
Play starts on Thursday.
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