Trio to draw on Ryder Cup inspiration

A team of Middlesex PGA Professionals is set to be driven by the ‘Poulter mentality’ as they pursue victory in the newest event on the PGA national tournament schedule – the SkyCaddie PGA England & Wales Inter-County Championship.

Pinner Hill Golf Club PGA Assistant Nick Patemen, a veteran of numerous team events from his days as a leading amateur with Hertfordshire and England, is relishing teaming up with Michael Vandenberg (Wyke Green Golf Club) and Matt Deal (Hendon Golf Club) for the 36-hole East qualifier at Nazeing Golf Club.

The trio are one of four teams in the shoot-out on Tuesday August 27, with the winning county securing their place in the £10,000 two-day final at The Belfry in October.

The format will see the best two scores from three in each of the two rounds counting towards the final score.

And 27-year-old Pateman, who is currently lying third on the PGA in England (East) Order of Merit, is looking forward to the battle.

“I played a lot of team golf when I was an amateur and have always enjoyed being part of a team,” he said.

“I have that Ian Poulter mentality of being in the zone when I play team golf. It’s a different approach as you know you’re not out there on your own like you are in a pro-am or Order of Merit event.”

Patemen, whose role at Pinner Hill sees him work closely with the 120-strong junior set up, admits playing time has become limited over the summer as he looks for a positive conclusion to the season.

“I’ve not been playing as much as used to and not even compared to the start of the season when I played a lot of events,” he said.

“I’ve just finished my first year on the PGA Foundation degree and I am working every weekend with the juniors so time has been limited.

“Therefore, I’m looking forward to playing in this and being in with a chance of playing the final at The Belfry on the PGA National.

“I’ve been fortunate to play it with some friends and it’s a great course but doesn’t get talked about much because of the Brabazon and its history with the Ryder Cup."

Middlesex’s rivals for the final berth are Bedford & Cambridgeshire, who include leading coach Lee

Scarbrow (John O’Gaunt), who used to coach Poulter, and in-form Stuart Brown (Orton Meadows); Norfolk, who have former East captain Michael Few (Weston Park) in the side, and Suffolk, who have Bury Golf Range duo Lawrence Dodd and Kevin Earp in the ranks.

Skycaddie director of international business operations Jacqui Surman said: “SkyCaddie is pleased to be sponsoring the PGA England & Wales Inter-County Championship. We believe in the PGA Professional and all that they stand for in golf.

“It is important that we support them at local county level and help enhance the work they do in their local area. We look forward to giving the events and each county our support in 2013.”

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones welcomed the new addition to the PGA national tournament schedule, commenting: “This is an exciting new opportunity embracing the counties and with plenty of regional pride at stake I’m sure it will be a keenly contested tournament.”