Mackie uses Little Aston knowledge to secure victory

Lee Mackie took his disappointment of 12 months ago to bounce back in style at the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship Midlands qualifier.

Esher-based Mackie, of Cranfield Golf Academy, topped the leaderboard with a
two-under-par round of 70 at Birmingham’s Little Aston course.

Mackie pipped Mark Butler (Mark Butler Golf Academy) and Shaun Ball (South
Staffs Golf Club) by one shot.

They and 15 other qualifiers will now play in the £78,000 Glenmuir showpiece
final being held on June 11-14 at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland.

The Peugeot-supported final will also decide who makes the Great Britain and
Ireland squad which will compete in the PGA Cup against the USA in an event
which will also be staged at Slaley Hall.

But it was a contrast for Mackie who played at the same venue last year only to
miss out on qualification by one shot.

Mackie said: “This year I came back and used the experience of playing here
before to my advantage.

“I knew the course better, and I knew where to stay when I was up there so I
felt more comfortable.

“And it worked for me as I won.”

Mackie was due to play in the South qualifier but that clashed with a trip
teaching golf in the USA - so he played in the Midlands event again.

He added: “I’ve played in one Glenmuir final before; that was at Dundonald Links
four years ago. So it’s great to be back to have another shot at it.

“The Little Aston course was difficult after a hard winter, but my chipping and
putting was my strength and that got me through.

“My long game was a bit ropey, but it was my short game that saved me.