Bruce aiming to round off testimonial year in style

George Bruce will aim to complete his testimonial year in style by making it through to the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final in Turkey.

Bruce will tee up with his Westhill club captain Douglas Gold for the Scottish regional qualifier at Haggs Castle on September 4.

And the duo will be aiming to take the sole place for the £25,000 championship final over the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club on November 25-26.

Bruce first joined the club as an assistant professional in 1994 and club members honoured his contribution over more than two decades earlier this year.

But the occasion would be truly topped off if he could claim a place on the plane to the championship final this winter.

“It would be an absolute dream to make it to Turkey at the end of my testimonial year,” Bruce admitted.

“The club have organised functions throughout the year and the last one is in October. To have this in November would be amazing.

“I’m a club pro first and foremost so the members come first for me, although I still do enjoy going out and playing when I can.

“But I didn’t expect them to organise everything that they have. They’ve put a lot of hard work in – it’s really nice and makes you feel appreciated.”

The final is returning to Turkey for the sixth consecutive year. Channels duo Jason Levermore and Neil Hutchinson won it last time out.

If Bruce and Gold are to make it to the final they will have to fight off the advances of seasoned campaigners in this event such as last year’s finalists Garry Forrester and Mike Cordner, of the St Andrews Golf Academy.

They won last year’s Scottish qualifier after a tense play-off against two other teams to secure their place in the grand final.

Other pairings competing in the Scottish qualifier include: Kenny Hutton and Bob Ferrieer (a) (Downfield), Craig Matheson and Graeme Cobb (a) (Falkirk Tryst), Greg McFarlane and Tony McNairney (a) (Gragemouth Mun), Andrew Sowerby and Duncan Miller (a) (Penrith) and Ian Collins and Grahame Cairns (a) (Stirling).