Milford Haven pair determined to do Wales proud

Matthew Hearne and Elliot Harding will be flying the flag for Wales at the Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship Final.

The Milford Haven Golf Club duo will be the only all-Welsh pairing at the £35,000 Skycaddie & BMW supported event to be held at Carden Park in Cheshire between August 12-14.

Both players have a long association with the Pembrokeshire club.

And they are fully aware that any Welsh hopes of success lie with them.

“We found it a bit surprising that we’re the only all Welsh team in the final,” said Hearne.

“Maybe some of them are put off by having to go to the West Country for the qualifying event which was at Tiverton in Devon.

“It was a four hour drive for us, but worth it!

“We’re a bit out of the way in west Wales - but we’ll definitely be trying to fly the flag at Carden Park.

“Our fathers are coming up to support us and we’re really looking forward to playing the Jack Nicklaus designed course.

“We made the effort to qualify as we’ve just missed out the last two years.”

Hearne, 35, says the pair have grown up with the Milford Haven club which can be unusual.

“We’re also former junior members of the club as well as being the head professional and assistant professional now,” he said.

“That’s something you don’t always see these days.

“It means we both have a strong connection with the club going back years.

“I’ve been back here as head pro for four years after being at Haverfordwest - and now I’m head pro at both clubs.”

Hearne says Harding, 25, may be the key player of the two.

“Elliot is in the third year of his PGA training and probably plays more golf than me,” he added.

“He was sixth in the Welsh National so he’s in good form.

“We were both good amateurs so we like to play in the PGA tournaments when we can.”