Former champions back in final

Kedleston Park Golf Club clinched their place in the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final after a string of birdies left the competition in their wake.

Captain Richard Smith teamed up with PGA Professional Ian Walley, right, to record an impressive 11 under par round of 61 in the East qualifying event held at King’s Lynn Golf Club in West Norfolk.

The display was enough to see the Derby duo win by four shots ahead of Samuel Teer and Nick Smith, of Essex’s Clacton Golf Club and Joel Cant and Les Brumpton of Market Rasen & District Golf Club.

Walley and 13-handicapper Smith will now play in the £25,000 final which takes place at Spanish destination Lumine Mediterranea Beach & Golf Community.

The resort, which features two Greg Norman designs, will stage the event over 36 holes from Wednesday, November 30 - Thursday, December 1.

Walley won the final in 2013 when he partnered Ian Neal. And Smith - Neal’s former business partner - admitted the ex-captain passed on some tips.

“He told me that 11 under par would be good enough to win it, so when we got there after 14 holes we didn’t think we were going to be beaten,” said the 65-year-old retired chartered accountant from Mickleover.

“But it was Ian who did all the damage, he made nine birdies including six in a row at one point which was great. We didn’t look like dropping a shot all day.

“To go to Spain to play in the final is a great prize and a fitting way for me to end our year as captain.

“My only concern is that it could clash with our club’s AGM - so that might have to be moved this year!”

Walley also won the Lombard Trophy in the same year as the Pro-Captain Challenge.