Disney dazzles at golf's Magic Kingdom

Gleneagles became Disneyland for a handful of minutes during the first round of Europe’s largest pro-am, the Lombard Trophy.

That was when Bulwell Forest’s Mick Disney (above left), Andrew Willey’s amateur partner, followed up a drive and four iron at the 16^th hole on the PGA Centenary Course with a 40 foot putt for an eagle.

It took the duo to seven-under and heading the 16-strong field in pursuit of the £12,000 winner’s cheque until Channels pair Jason Levermore and Ben Steed joined them in pole position.

In fairness, the PGA’s playability test for potential pros would be a walk in the park for Disney given that he plays off plus one.

Which perhaps is why his party piece at the 543-yard 16^th on the stage where Europe gave the USA a golfing lesson almost a year ago was treated as almost an everyday occurrence by the men from Nottinghamshire.

“We had an eagle at the 16^th,” said Disney, without revealing he was responsible, when asked as to what were the highlights of their round.

“Andrew had a few birdies out there as well and we missed a few chances. But overall we had a good round.”

The eagle more than compensated for the pair’s solitary blemish – a bogey at the par four 13^th – taking them from five to seven-under.

“We’d had three or four good chances before that and missed them,” said Willey, a former European Tour player, “so Michael’s eagle hauled back into the game.”

Meanwhile, Levermore (above right with Steed) and Steed’s negotiation of the Jack Nicklaus-designed course lacked a similarly spectacular highlight but was equally effective.

The Essex men representing the club located near Chelmsford also recorded one bogey – at the par three sixth – but ended with a flourish, especially at the par three 17^th.

Four of their eight birdies came on the back nine and Levermore said: “I holed a 35 footer on the 17^th for a two but that was about it in terms of highlights. Overall we gelled nicely today and both contributed. We’ll be looking for more of the same tomorrow.”