Hampshire duo out to reclaim title

Mark Treleaven and Jonathan Barnes are on a mission to regain their Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship title this year.

The Hampshire duo will be competing in the South qualifying event at Woodcote Park Golf Club on July 18.

And they will be hoping to secure a place in the SkyCaddie and BMW supported £33,000 final which takes place on the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Carden Park in Cheshire between August 17-19.

But Treleaven, of Hayling Golf Club, and Barnes, representing Lee-on-The-Solent Golf Club, have their eyes on the top prize again after winning the final two years ago and finishing joint third last year behind winners Lee Clarke and Jack Lynch.

Now Treleaven says they want to repeat their success of two years ago.

“The only reason we’re competing is to try and win it again, it’s in the budget for this year!” he said.

“First of course, we have to get through at Woodcote Park which we feel we can do.

“Last year we didn’t have to qualify as champions, but now we need to get through again. Two years ago, we won the qualifier and then the final, so we were on a roll.”

The pair believe they can challenge again at Carden Park if they get through from the Surrey qualifier but Treleaven admits it will not be through a lack of hard work if they are successful.

“I’ve been making some changes to my game, just small things that come when you’re getting into your 50s and realise you can’t do some of the things you could do when you’re younger,” he explained.

“I tend to play more golf in the winter when my assistants are around the club more, in the summer they’re off more so that restricts me a little. But Jon’s playing well and we’re feeling good about this competition again.

“We really enjoyed playing at Carden Park last year, it was a good week for us. So it’d be great to get back there.”

Barnes was a key member of the 2013 Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team that tied with the United States at Slaley Hall.

Also due to play in the Woodcote Park qualifier will be, Barney Wytchard and Darren Bartlett    (Caversham Heath Golf Club); Stephen Speller  (Camberley Heath Golf Club) and Christopher Hudson  (Southwood Golf Club);  John Powell and Angus Mottershead   (Hampton Court Palace Golf Club); and Rob Humphrey and Joanne Taylor (Tyrrells Wood Golf Club).