Bedfordshire amateur eyes Gleneagles glory

A Bedfordshire amateur golfer will tee up with Ian Poulter’s former mentor for a crack at the final of Europe’s largest pro-am.

Tony Newman will join forces with John O’Gaunt PGA Professional Lee Scarbrow for the £43,600 grand final of the Lombard Trophy over Gleneagles’ King’s Course on September 2-3.

The 17-handicapper (pictured right) only returned to golf 12 months ago, but feels he is in safe hands playing alongside Scarbrow (left), who has coached 18-year-old sensation Charley Hull and set Ian Poulter on his way to fame and fortune when the now European Tour star worked under him as his assistant.

The pair posted an eight-under-par round of 64 to win the regional final at Orsett Golf Club, Essex, to book their spot in the final, just three weeks before the Ryder Cup is played out on the neighbouring Centenary Course.

“I’d been playing since the age of 11, but stopped playing when I was about 20,” explained the 52-year-old, who works for an accountancy practice.

“But I returned last year. Lee’s been coaching my son and so I decided to start playing again. It’s amazing to make it to Gleneagles so soon after coming back. I think the things you learn early on stay with you.

“Lee’s a very relaxing partner to play alongside, he made sure I concentrated on my game rather than looking at the scoreboard, so I’ll look forward to playing at Gleneagles with him.”

For Scarbrow, just playing at Gleneagles, never mind in a prestigious event for a lucrative prize, will realise an ambition.

“I’ve never played there before or even been to the hotel,” he said. “Playing there is on my bucket list so I’m really looking forward to it, especially as the Ryder Cup is being staged there a couple of weeks after we’re there.”

The imminence of the Ryder Cup means Gleneagles will look very different to usual, with the first hole set to play host for the driving range during the showpiece match.

“That suggests the fairway should be nice and wide,” he quipped. “I need all the help I can get as I don’t play very often these days. Coaching takes up most of my time and when I play it’s a case of getting the clubs out of a cupboard and blowing the cobwebs off them!”

Not that that is anything new for Scarbrow who, despite his lack of on course action, has come close to qualifying for the final on four previous occasions.

And he is determined to go one better than his substitute who qualified during the one year he was unable to play.

“The one time I couldn’t make it I sent my assistant - Ian Poulter - and he made the final! I spoke to him the other day and he reminded me that he had a better record in the competition than me! If nothing else I’ve got to put that right at Gleneagles.