First glass – Ashby Decoy duo book place in Turkey final

Retired glass maker Brian Kitching is heading to Turkey after the PGA National Pro-Am Championship qualifying event became a shoot-out between the top two pairings.

Scunthorpe-based Kitching teamed up with Ashby Decoy Golf Club professional Andy Miller for the PGA North regional qualifier at Harrogate Golf Club.

Their fourball partners, Far Grange Golf Club’s Darren Leng, a former finalist in this competition, and his amateur sidekick Gary Little, looked set to win the Stableford format event.

That is until the Ashby Decoy duo ended their round with three successive birdies to pip them for victory by a point.

Kitching, who plays off a handicap of 22, and Miller totalled 42 points and will now take their place in the £25,000 grand final at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, in November.

“The team we played with were the same as us going to the last hole,” said Kitching.

“They were three up on us at one stage but Andy got a nett birdie at the 18th to win it.

“We were aware of the situation the closer we got to the end, Andy was updating me.

“I was surprised because I thought we’d have needed another four more points to win it. But it was quite tough, the greens at Harrogate are very quick.”

But Kitching admitted he was still stunned by the prize for the winners which means he and Andy will play in the showpiece final.

“I was quite shocked when I realised what we’d done, it’s a great thing to be able to do,” he said.

“The furthest away I’ve ever played golf is Mexico, but that was on holiday.

“We knew beforehand what was there for the winners, but we didn’t expect it. We kept battling away and never gave in. I know I can play well on some holes, but that I’d have some bad ones too.

“It was a case of Andy coming in on the bad holes, he’s the steady one.”

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