Craig aiming to use sharp Witts to win Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles

Cherry Lodge Golf Club’s Craig Sutherland will be out to regain his title in The Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles next month.

Scotland-born Sutherland won the PGA National Pro-Am Championship in 2011 when he partnered amateur player Colin Rutter.

The Kent pro will bid to win it again with amateur Chris Witts when they compete in the £43,600 grand final from September 3-4 where they will take on 15 other clubs from across the UK over the PGA Centenary Course – scene of battle for next year's Ryder Cup.

Witts is a former PGA assistant to Sutherland at Cherry Lodge who plays off a handicap of two and is guaranteed two visits to Gleneagles over the next 12 months.

The 25-year-old recruitment worked explained: “Not only will I be playing at the Ryder Cup venue, I’ll also be watching the Ryder Cup next year as I got tickets in a ballot.

“So to be playing the course and then watching the event itself is incredible. Not many people will get the chance to do that.”

Witts admits he could have been in Sutherland’s shoes had he continued his ambitions to become a PGA Professional.

The Biggin Hill-based player added: “I know Craig really well and trained with him at Cherry Lodge for about a year, but in the end I got a job in the City.

“I had a break from golf after that but I love the game and I’m playing regularly again now.”

Sutherland admits he is keen to get back to the final.

He added: “It’ll be good to try and win it again, especially as it’s in Scotland.

“I grew up in the Orkney Islands and came down to England in 1994. But I’ve played Gleneagles before.

“Hopefully knowing Chris well will be of some benefit to us in the final.”