Ladybank pair hope to make home advantage count

A former rugby player is preparing to tackle the Lombard Trophy regional final at Ladybank Golf Club.

Glenrothes-based amateur Chris Grieve is aiming to convert his chance to play in the £43,600 grand final, which will take place from September 3-4 over the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles – the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.

He will team up with PGA Professional Sandy Smith (pictured) in the event which will be held on Wednesday 10 July - and is being staged at their home course.

Grieve, a 60-year-old car mechanic who plays off a handicap of 22, is a relative newcomer to the sport.

He explained: “I was a rugby man for most of my life, as a player then on the committee at Glenrothes Rugby Club.

“But I took up golf around eight years ago and I wish I’d done it sooner now - I might have saved myself a few injuries on the rugby field!”

Grieve will be playing on familiar territory - and his pairing will be first out. But he insists that accuracy will be the name of the game for all competitors.

He added: “At Ladybank you have to make sure you stay out of the heather and if you don’t then you could be in some trouble!

“But if you’re a golfer then it’s a course to be enjoyed. It’s a real challenge.”

Ladybank is just 30 miles away from Gleneagles and Grieve knows the venue for the grand final well.

“It’s not far to go if we do reach the final but we don’t care where it is if we get there.

It’s an exciting prospect for the winners to play at the Ryder Cup venue.”

Other teams taking part at Ladybank include Stuart Wilson and David Mair (Eastwood); Paul Terras and Martin Landels (Berwick on Tweed); Alastair Webster and Ken Bruce (Edzell); Gary Forbes and Chris Smith (Murcar Links); Gordon Law and Alan Ferrie (Uphall) and Alastair Forrow and Kevin Halpin (Whitecraigs).