Gray gunning for birdies at Camberley Heath

Former Women’s PGA Professional champion Alison Gray is aiming for a birdie blitz at the first ever WPGA Lombard Trophy qualifier for female clubs pros and amateurs which tees off on Monday (July 4) at Camberley Heath in Surrey.

The Ormskirk  Golf Club teaching pro teams up with amateur Sara Fitzgerald against 22 other clubs chasing three places up for grabs in the grand final at Portugal’s Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel from September 22-23 where there is a first prize of £2,500 in the Coca Cola supported event.

A strong field also includes four-time WPGA PGA Professional champion Tracy Loveys (Bigbury) and ex-Ladies European Tour player Sarah Bennett (Three Rivers).

Lombard launched the event to encourage more women take get involved in the sport – an aim Gray is fully supportive of.

“It’s great to be involved and hopefully will encourage more women to take up the sport,” said Gray.

Gray heads down on Sunday for a practice round but the mum of two admits the pair might need to have a couple of hot putters to book a place in the grand final due to Fitzgerald’s single figure handicap.

“Sara plays off four so she won’t get too many shots so we might have to birdie alternate holes to have any chance but I’m sure it will be good fun,” she added.

Fitzgerald, who works for HSBC, started playing her golf in Bridgnorth Golf Club and later at Tenby Golf Club.

The second WPGA Lombard Trophy qualifier is staged at Dunham Forest on Monday July 25.

Gray was initially scheduled to play at Dunham Forest but it clashes with qualifying for the Women’s British Open.