Close friends set for Lombard Trophy Final

Royal Dornoch Golf Club duo Andrew Skinner and Gary Gruber have a chance of winning Europe’s biggest pro-am when they compete in the grand final of the Lombard Trophy in sunny Portugal next week.

Head PGA Professional Skinner and amateur Gruber will go head-to-head with 14 other clubs in the 36-hole showdown in the Algarve.

More than 700 clubs entered the popular PGA National Pro-Am Championship which reaches its climax at Pestana’s stunning Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel on the Algarve from September 21-22.

Skinner and Gruber clinched their spot in Portugal after winning their regional qualifier at Craigielaw Golf Club back in July thanks to a six-under par 65, which also earned them £450.

Estate manager Gruber, 38-year-old a four-handicapper, said: “Andy’s a great friend, we’ve known each other for about 20 years and have kind of grown up together so it’s even better that we get to travel to an event like this.

“I’ve been playing since I was three or four years old and grew up in a golfing family. My sister’s a handy player so now I can tell her I’ve finally won something.”

Skinner says he has never missed a Lombard Trophy qualifying event since it started - but this will be his first final.

He added: “I said in my speech at the end of our qualifying event that it was about time I won one of these events! I think we’re looking at about 20 years.

“You always think about getting that one performance that will take us to the final. But the fact that Gary and myself are good friends was a big advantage.

“It made the difference, he wasn’t nervous playing with me which can happen with some of my previous amateur partners.”