Gary aiming for senior service after Burnham victory

Gary Milne completed the first part of his new career path after winning the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship West qualifying event at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club.

The Exeter Golf & Country Club PGA Professional carded a two-under-par round at the Somerset course which will also host the £91,500 grand final on June 2-5.

But Milne is also playing seniors golf after turning 50 in April.

And he is using this competition to build up his form this year with his next seniors event coming just two days later.

“After winning at Burnham I’ll be heading to Foxhills in Surrey for the Senior PGA Professional Championship,” said Milne.

“And the final at Burnham comes a week before the PGA Seniors Championship in Newcastle.

“If I can get a top 20 spot at Foxhils then that will get me there.

“So I’m hoping to gather some momentum. I’ve been to the Seniors Tour School and I have my own agenda this year.”

But Milne admits that if he performs well at Burnham then he would be happy to try and gain a place in the PGA Cup squad that will take on the USA in California this September.

“It’s not my priority, but if I play well enough and that door opens I’d be very pleased,” he said.

Milne beat some experienced players into second place.

Just one shot behind were George Ryall (Players Golf Club), Thomas Hiscock (Henbury Golf Club), Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Martyn Thompson (Parkstone Golf Club).

In all, 19 qualifiers from the event will be back at Burnham.

Milne admitted his front nine performance allowed him to enjoy the day.

“I bogeyed the first hole but then got an eagle at the third before birdies at the fourth and the fifth holes,” he said.

“Once I’d done that then the pressure was off really in terms of qualifying.

“But it was a great day with the sun shining, it made for a nice test of golf as the weather blow you away sometimes there.

“It meant we all got an idea of what the course will be like in June when we come back.”