Early bird Weller flies high at Kingswood

Heywards Heath amateur Mark Weller led from start to finish to seal his place in the Lombard Trophy final at Gleneagles.
 
The 51-year-old, representing Cuckfield Golf Centre, partnered PGA Professional Robert Dickman, right, at the regional final held at Kingswood Golf Club in Surrey.

They recorded a seven-under-par round of 65 only to see that matched by Cherry Lodge Golf Club's Craig Sutherland and Dave Morgan.

Sutherland is a former finalist but the Kent club had to give way this time to Weller and Dickman as the Sussex duo won on countback.

They will now play in the £43,000 final held over the King's Course at Gleneagles between September 2–3 - just three weeks before the Ryder Cup is staged at the same venue.

Weller, a self-employed electrician who plays off a handicap of 14, admitted the top prize was a reward for his patience.
 
"I was the first one there at 6:30 am along with the cleaner!" smiled Weller.
 
"We were in the first group and I honestly didn't think our score would last all day.

"When Cherry Lodge tied with us, I knew we would beat them on countback because we had a good back nine. But you still think someone is going to post eight-under-par.
 
"I don't think I had any nails left by the end of the day! It was nervy stuff, but now I'm really looking forward to playing Gleneagles.

"I've driven past the course before, but never had the chance to play it."

Dickman will be making his return to the final after playing in the first ever events held in Portugal during the 1990s.

"It's a bit of a fairytale story in more ways than one," he said.

"Not only was I in the first ever final, but this is the first time I've tried to qualify again for about 11 or 12 years.

"I've been busy running the business side of things at the golf centre over the last few years so I've never tried to qualify.

"But this time I thought I'd go for it and here we are."

Dickman praised his playing partner for his part in their victory.

"Mark was on the card more than me probably," he said.

"We started really well and were three under par after the first three holes.

"But we also got a nett eagle near the end and that helped us on countback.

"It'll be fantastic to play at Gleneagles, I've only ever been there on holiday with the family before."