Derbyshire amateur eyes perfect return

A Derbyshire golfer is set to partner defending champion Ian Walley in the Lombard Trophy, just months after dusting down his clubs following a 13-year lay-off.

Ashbourne’s John Kelly won his Kedleston Park club qualifying competition to claim the chance to play alongside club pro Walley in Europe’s biggest pro-am.

That was despite the qualifier being only his third competitive appearance following an extended break due to a hectic work and family life.

The duo will play in the Lombard Trophy regional final at Coventry Golf Club on July 17, with the winners progressing to play in the final over Gleneagles’ King’s Course on September 2-3.

The tournament, which carries a total prize fund of £80,000, will conclude just days before the Ryder Cup visits the Auchterarder venue.

And 12-handicapper Kelly, 48, is keen to make it to the September showpiece.

“This is a great opportunity, it would be great to get to Gleneagles right before the Ryder Cup,” he said.

“There is a lot of pressure though, the club did incredibly well last year and I want to be able to go back knowing that I have lived up to the standards Ian and Ian [Neal, Walleys partner last year] set.

“I’m sure we’ll sit down before the event and talk everything through to make sure we are as prepared as we can be.

“I’ve played with Ian once before and he’s a real pleasure to play alongside. He’s very well respected at the club too.”

A member of Kedleston Park since March, Kelly admitted he was surprised to come out on top in his club qualifying competition.

“It was only my third competitive round since joining the club, so my expectations weren’t too high,” he explained.

“My round was steady and I was hitting the ball well. The main thing was that I was doing it consistently – something I haven’t been able to repeat too much since unfortunately!

“Hopefully I can get plenty of practice in before the day and that will be a big help.”

“Obviously getting out and practicing is important for your game – it was the main reason I gave up as I just didn’t have the time to go out and play.

“But since I’ve come back in I’m getting out on the course as much as I can, and I’m noticing my game improve all the time.”

Other pairings competing at Coventry include: Craig Shave and Daniel Rodgers (a) (Whetstone), Steve Yates and Anthony Moffat (a) (Kenilworth), Mark Slater and Richard Young (a) (Bewdley Pines), Sion Bebb and Rhys Hughes (a) (Morlais Castle), and Ryan Pudney and Graham Turner (a) (Mundesley).