Nugent aims for victory with 'Bart' Stimpson

Jim Nugent hopes a touch of The Simpsons will bring Ashburnham Golf Club success in the Staysure Trophy at the West qualifying event The Players Club.

Nugent, 55, will team up with PGA Professional Martin Stimson for the event at the Bristol venue on May 29.

“We call Martin ‘Bart’ Stimson and when he’s away from from the club and his dad steps in, we call him Homer!” smiled Nugent who plays off a handicap of nine.

Both will be aiming to make it through to the final which is being held from July 31 to August 1 at the London Golf Club near Sevenoaks, Kent.

The pro-am competition sponsored by Staysure, the insurance specialists for over 50s, has been launched by the PGA this year and carries a £30,000 prize fund.

“It’s good to see this event introduced to the calendar,” said Irishman Nugent, who runs a travel company organising trips for golfers.

“But I was 55 only in February, so I tell everyone I’m the youngest ‘senior’ at the club.

“I have played in PGA pro-am events before, and one year, I ‘hit the bar’ when I was playing alongside Darren Griffiths, the son of the snooker player Terry.

“We just missed out when only one team qualified and went through to the final, so I hope myself and Martin can go one better and get through to the London Club.”

Nugent has been playing golf for much of his life but admits he feels at home at the South Wales club based in Carmarthenshire which is recognised as one of the finest links courses in Wales.

“I’ve travelled around and settled here with my wife a few years ago, and, as they say in Ireland, the only way you’ll get me out of here is in a box! It’s a wonderful part of the country,” he said.