Barham continues brave comeback

Ex-European Tour player Benn Barham triumphed in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship East qualifier less than three years after being treated for kidney cancer.

Barham, of Kings Hill Golf Club in Kent, had his right kidney removed after
being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in October 2010.

But now he has become a father for the second time and continued his golf
comeback by securing a place in the £78,000 Glenmuir showpiece final being held
on June 11-14 at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland - the first time he has
played in the event.

Barham topped the leaderboard with a two-under-par 70 at North London’s South
Herts course.

He pipped Rayleigh Golf Range’s Mark Hooper, Mitchell Kierstenson, of
Hertfordshire’s Penfold Park, and Wyke Green’s Michael Vandenberg.

They and 11 other qualifiers will now play in the Peugeot-supported final which
will also decide who makes the Great Britain and Ireland squad to compete in
the PGA Cup against the USA, an event which will also be staged at Slaley Hall.

Barham admitted that life was treating him well.

He said: “I became a father for the second time four weeks ago, so I’ll
probably use the prize money to buy nappies!

“My teaching business is going well and, touch wood, the cancer has gone for
good so things are looking great now.

“I had to take six months out of the game when I had the kidney removed and get
used to all the things that went with that.

“I lost my Tour card in 2009 and I competed on the Challenge Tour last year.

“The sheer adrenalin of making my comeback got to me a bit.

“But now I have more family responsibilities so I’m playing the regions this
year.

“Getting to my first Glenmuir final is great and I admit I would love to make
it into the PGA Cup team if it’s at all possible.”