Coleman revving up for shot at Portugal Final

Car assembly line worker Neil Coleman is hoping to hit top gear at the Lombard Trophy Midlands qualifying round at Enville Golf Club.

Nuneaton Golf Club amateur Coleman will partner PGA Professional and former finalist Craig Phillips at the event to be held on June 22 at the Wolverhampton course.

They will be aiming to book a trip to Portugal for the £41,450, Coca-Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, National Pro-Am grand final which will be played at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve between September 20-21.

And it is a significant step for 39-year-old Coleman who has only been a member at Nuneaton for 15 months.

“It’s a big thing for me as an amateur, you only real get to play in competitions at your local club and things like that,” said the 18-handicapper.

“I haven’t had a chance to play alongside Craig yet with me working shifts.

“I only joined Nuneaton Golf Club until last year, I was a social player before that but I decided I wanted to take the game more seriously over the past couple of years.

“Before then, I’d just get together with friends. But a lot of them were members at Nuneaton, so I joined as it meant I could play more often and it’s easier for me the better I’m getting at the game.

“But it’s great to be involved in a competition like this when I’m a relative newcomer to the club.”

Coleman is a toolmaker at the Land Rover plant in Solihull - and says that is perfect to fit around his golf.

“We make the jigs for the robots to pick up, then maintain them when they break,” he said.

“I get a lot more spare time with me doing shifts. It fits in really well.”

Other teams taking part at Enville include: the host pairing of  Richard Copsey/Aidon Kingsbury;  Peter Baker/Stephen Chalrton (South Staffs Golf Club); Noel Woodman/Phil Brookes (Kidderminster Golf Club);   Richrd Reed/Chris Gowan (Glen Gorse Golf Club);   Julian Dodsworth/Chris Gowan (Stratford on Avon Golf Club);   Lee Clarke/Kevin Marsh (Beeston Fields);  Martin Griffin/Mark Emery (Moseley Golf Club) and  Phil Toomer/Jonathan Reece (Shrewsbury Driving Range)

For more information on the event at Enville click here.