Essex duo set course for Lombard Trophy

A golfer who is making a model replica of HMS Victory is hoping to have the wind in his sails as he bids to reach the Lombard Trophy grand final at Gleneagles.

Roger Turner, a 15-handicapper from Gosfield Lake Golf Club in Essex, will partner PGA Professional Tom Cranfield for a tilt at qualifying in the regional final at Orsett on June 24.

The club is the first team to be officially entered in the 2014 tournament and it will also be the first time Cranfield has played in the Lombard Trophy with the 29-year-old set to savour the experience having recovered from a serious back injury sustained in a car crash which left him unable to play for nearly three years.

“I still don’t play a lot of golf and focus more on coaching and my role as head pro but when I do play I really enjoy it,” said Cranfield.

Turner, a retired IT insurance broker from Great Yeldham, carded a nett 65 in the club qualifying competition back in September to win the chance to play alongside Cranfield in the £80,000 tournament which will conclude over the King’s Course at Gleneagles in September (2-3) – just three weeks before the Ryder Cup.

“I play in all the club competitions but my round wasn’t anything special and I didn’t think anything of it so it was a pleasant surprise to win and get this opportunity,” said the 65-year-old.

“I’ve played a lot of courses in my time, many of the well known ones in Scotland including King’s at Gleneagles so it would be nice to get back there representing the club where I’ve been a member for 17 years.”

Turner plays golf two or three times a week and lists cricket and model-making among his other interests.

“I used to build a lot of model sailing ships. I’m currently working on HMS Victory. It’s four foot long and the biggest I’ve done to date and I’ve been working on it for two years but it might have to take a back seat into the build up to the regional qualifier.”

Hoping he can steer the right course on the fairways will be Cranfield who has been the head pro for two-and-half years having started at the club as an assistant in 2007.

“I’m really enjoying the experience as head pro but it’s been quite a steep learning curve,” he added.

“The club is picking up as a business and the Lombard Trophy is a good way to connect with the membership. Entry was brilliant for the club qualifying competition and it is a good way to get to know the members on an individual basis.

“Roger has had some lessons in the past, he’s a good steady player, in fact a bit of bandit of his handicap so I’m looking forward to us having a good go and trying to reach the grand final.”