Fynn Valley’s young ones aiming to cause a stir at Gleneagles

Fynn Valley Golf Club hope youth will have its day in The Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles early next month.

Amateur Kane Mayes is just 18 years old - and he will be teaming up with PGA Professional Chris Smith who is 26.

The Ipswich duo will tee off in the £43,600 grand final of the PGA National Pro-Am Championship which will be contested between 16 clubs from September 3-4 with teams playing 36 holes over the PGA Centenary – the course for next year's Ryder Cup.

Mayes (pictured on left) already represents Suffolk at County level and plays off a handicap of four but he admits that reaching The Lombard Trophy final is his biggest achievement yet.

Mayes added: “I’ve only been playing for about five years so I suppose I’ve made decent progress.

“But getting to Gleneagles is really exciting and I cannot wait to play there.”

Smith (right) feels the combination could be a successful one.

“Yes, we’re probably the youngest pairing in the final but I wouldn’t say we’re inexperienced,” said Smith.

“I came up through the Assistants ranks and have played in three PGA Assistants’ finals and Kane is a real prospect for the future.

“So far from being over-awed about the final, we’re relishing the fact that we’re there and we want to show what we can do.”

Meanwhile Mayes, who works in the club shop at Fynn Valley, one day hopes to join Smith by qualifying as a PGA Professional.

“I’d like to take the PGA training course if I can with a view to turning professional one day, and working at the club already gives me an idea of what it might be like. It’s the ideal surrounding for me.”