Crowe and Rooke aim to fly high at Gleneagles

A supermarket worker will be hoping a trip to Gleneagles is in store when he takes part in the Lombard Trophy regional final at West Lancashire Golf Club.

Vale of Llangollen amateur Andy Crowe, from Wrexham, will team up with PGA Professional Lee Rooke for the event which will be played at the Liverpool venue on June 17.

And Crowe, 49, admits he has big shoes to fill as Rooke won the grand final in Mexico last year with his amateur playing partner Nick Jones - and he will be looking to defend his title if he qualifies again.

The duo are aiming to make it to the £43,600 grand final which will be held at Gleneagles in Scotland - the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup -  on September 3-4.

Crowe knows full well what is at stake after the Denbighshire club’s profile was raised following last year’s triumph.

He said: “There’s a big picture of Lee and Nick up on the wall at the club so you see it every time you go in there.

“I know I’ve got a lot to live up to but I’m looking forward to it.

“I haven’t played much with Lee though but I’m sure we’ll get together for a practice beforehand.”

Crowe, who plays off nine and has been a member for 14 years, admitted that last year’s title triumph was a major victory for the club.

 “It was nice to see someone I know do well in the final and winning it was a big thing for Vale of Lllangollen.

"Now we have the prospect of playing in the final at the Ryder Cup venue which is a real incentive for us."

Other teams taking part at West Lancs include the home pairing of Gary Edge, 51, and amateur Paul Finnegan, who lives in Blundellsands; Richard Booth and Chris Brown (Hale Golf Club);   Ben Waller and Graham Crisp (Kendal); Scott Connor and Chris McGawley (Manchester);   Grant Hamerton and Stephen Horner (Pike Fold) and Mark Smith and Rick Irving (Stamford Golf Club).