Dentist Pat hoping for polished performance in Portugal

Ormskirk Golf Club amateur Pat Johnson admits she has been getting used to playing with strangers ahead of the WPGA Lombard Trophy Final in Portugal.

Retired dentist Johnson will be getting her teeth into the National Pro-Am Championship event with Professional Ali Gray who has played in both previous versions of this event.

They will be aiming to win the £41,450, Coca-Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, showpiece which is being held at the Vila Sol resort between September 20-21.

The pair qualified by winning the regional final at Dunham Forest Golf Club in Cheshire when they shot an eight under par round of 64.

And former hockey player Johnson, who only took up golf four years ago, wants to make sure she is prepared for the tournament.

“Ormskirk have a roll up on a Thursday for people who want to play with other people, I have to get used to playing with people I don’t know for this competition,” she said.

“The club have started a day where you can just turn up and play nine or 18 holes, it’s not set in stone who you play with, it’s a bit like throwing your name into a hat for a partner.

‘It encourages people to come and play with people they don’t know so well or have never met. It’s a good idea, it’s part of the angst of competition when you don’t know people.

“When we won at Dunham Forest, I’d never played in anything like that before. It came from nothing that one! But I’m trying not to be too nervous and stay calm.”

The 27 handicapper has made rapid progress and says her appearance in the Lombard Trophy final shows what can be achieved.

“It’s still hard to believe, I must admit, I am surprised but enjoying it, my husband says if I had a short game I’d be dangerous!,” she joked.

“As an ex-hockey player I can hit a ball hard so I’m relying on my driver. My short game needs some work but that’s all down to practice. My husband is a golfer - and has played at this course in Portugal - but he said I needed a hobby so that’s why I took it up.”