Essex pair eye Gleneagles final

Essex amateur Phil Reeve is dreaming of a trip to 2014 Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles, as he prepares to compete in the Lombard Trophy.

Reeve, a 52-year-old engineer from Colchester, will team up with PGA Professional Sarah Graves for the regional final which is being played at Orsett Golf Club, near Grays, on June 25.

If the pair win they will qualify for the £43,600 grand final which will take place over the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles on September 3-4.

The duo will represent Playgolf Colchester at the event and Reeve hopes that reaching the grand final will give the club a boost as it undergoes an extensive refurbishment.

 “We’re undergoing a £1million renovation at the moment with a new clubhouse being built,” he said.

“We’re part of the Playgolf organisation which has other clubs in the south and the redevelopment is going to bring us up to the same standard as places like Bournemouth.

“At the moment, we’re all changing in a Portakabin, but we can all see the new building going up and when it’s finished I think we’ll attract even more members. It’s a big year for us.”

Reeve, who plays off a handicap of 12, is also excited about the prospect of sealing a place at Gleneagles with Graves, 28, who has been a professional at Playgolf Colchester for 12 months.

“I’m well aware of where the final is being held and what the prize is for the winners so winning would be tremendous but getting to play at the venue for the Ryder Cup would be a double bonus.

“I’ve been chatting to Sarah about the event and she’s looking forward to it as she does more teaching that playing.

“I want to play well as I know I have a responsibility not to let my professional partner down, but I’m sure she’ll show me the way.”

Other players taking part at Orsett include Peter Cherry and John Yule, 60 (Ashridge Golf Club), Simon Sheppard and Mark Smith (Bishop's Stortford), Martin Porter and Mike Hughes (Enfield), Peter McEvoy and Pat Nancarrow (Old Fold Manor), Sean Clark and Alan Evans (Royston) and Kevin Evans and Colin Hardy (Stevenage).