Former Lombard Trophy winners have their say
04/04/2018
The Lombard Trophy is Europe's largest pro-am event and has been running since 1979.
More than 1,000 golfers will contest this year's competition with 14 regional qualifiers deciding who will progress to the Grand Final for an expenses paid trip to Portugal.
The final will once again be staged on the Championship course at the five-star Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel, Vilamoura, and will feature 14 pairs competing for the £12,000 first prize.
Lombard is also backing the women’s version of the pro-am, the WPGA Lombard Trophy. This will be contested by six pairs at the same time as the men’s final.
Winning the Lombard Trophy is a coup for a PGA Professional, and in many cases for the amateur it is a career highlight.
Andrew Picton (Hart Common Golf Club) – 2017 winner
“You get to play at a great golf course during the qualifying rounds, so it’s worth entering the Lombard Trophy just for that.
"If you qualify for the Grand Final, the Vila Sol course is brilliant; you don’t often get chances to play at a venue like that.
"All the finalists got on really well and we all had a good laugh. It wasn’t just about the golf competition, we had a scream and we made some really good friends that I’ve kept in touch with. It was a great group.
"It’s a fantastic experience as you’re walking up that 18th in a winning position because all of the players, from both the ladies and men’s events, are following you up the fairway. It feels like you’re playing in a major event because you’ve got a gallery watching you.”
Trish Formoy (Kibworth Golf Club) – 2017 winner
“Like all golf competitions, you have nothing to lose and as much chance of winning as anyone else, particularly in this format with a PGA Professional for a partner.
“Kym (Larratt) and I enjoyed each other’s company and shared a quiet determination to do our best. We knew the competition would be tough, but then we could be tough competition on our day too.
“Even coming down the 18th, when we had it in the bag, I couldn’t let myself believe it until the final putt. Then it was phenomenal. When we got home, everyone was excited about the win.
“Every now and then telling yourself you have won a national tournament does give you a warm feeling.”
Matt Leach (Hartford Golf Club) – 2016 winner
“It was amazing how many people congratulated me after winning the Lombard Trophy. I went from being a nobody to being acknowledged at every golf club I went to in the region - it was astonishing.
"It’s just something you don’t expect to win. It was an all-expenses paid trip to Portugal and the whole time we were there we were treated like golf royalty.
"All of the events, from club competitions through to the grand Final, were very well organised.
"At the Grand Final we played a different group every day and it was a pleasure to spend five hours on a course with them.
"We got chatting to two other guys on the practice round and we’ve become good friends – we still speak today.
"I would say for the amount of money you pay to enter it’s well worth it even if you make it to the regional qualifier because those courses are worth playing on all day long and are worth the entry fee themselves.
"I was very proud to bring the Lombard Trophy back and we had it up in our golf club for all of our members to see.”
Sue Kiddle (Dinsdale Spa Golf Club) – 2016 winner
“Playing in the Lombard Trophy regional heat in Cheshire and then the Grand Final in Portugal was an amazing and fun experience.
“It was the first time I had played in a pro-am competition and I was a little nervous about this beforehand, but it gave me comfort to learn from my playing partner Nicky Dunn and it was all very well organised by The PGA and Lombard team.
“The whole trip to Portugal was immensely enjoyable. The welcome and the prize giving dinners were also fabulous.
“I’d encourage all lady golfers playing at clubs with a Lady Professional to enter the Lombard Trophy because there are fewer Lady Professionals which gives you a higher chance of qualifying.”
Make sure you're in with a chance of winning the 2018 Lombard Trophy by entering now. WPGA Members can enter here.
Lombard, a leading asset finance company providing leasing and hire purchase products for over 150 years, is continuing their support of the Lombard Trophy. Lombard lend money to businesses to help them buy the assets they need to grow - whether that’s technology, manufacturing or agricultural equipment, vehicles or renewable energy. Businesses get the equipment they need whilst spreading the cost over an agreed period without tying up their capital.
For more information visit about Lombard click here.
