Old Fold Assistant hoping for 'Topp' display at Ely

Stephen Topping says the PGA Assistants’ Championship is his most enjoyable event of the year - even though last year’s final was one of pure frustration.

Topping, of Old Fold Manor Golf Club in Barnet, will be trying to return to the showpiece event when he tees off in the qualifying competition which takes place at Ely City Golf Club in Cambridgeshire on May 22.

He, and some of the East of England’s best Assistants, will hoping to book a place in the £32,000 Birdietime-supported final which will be played at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey between July 3-5.

Topping finished 39th in last year’s final at Coxmoor Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.

But the 22-year-old knows he has the potential to improve on that after putting himself into a strong position.

“My first two rounds were good, I started with 76 and then 71 in the second round,” recalled the final year Assistant.

“But the final round didn’t go so well, I shot 80. But it was a good experience and shows how much you need to concentrate for all three rounds - it’s not a format we get to play that much.

“Overall I felt it was quite good, I putted well in that second round it was just a shame about the final round.

“This is my most enjoyable tournament of the year though so I’ll be hoping to qualify for the final again. It’s one I always look forward to.”

“Ely’s a bit of a drive but I’ll be having a practice round up there beforehand.

Topping chose the PGA route to further his ambition of becoming a qualified teaching professional.

“I love teaching, I’ve always wanted to do that from the start, probably more than playing although I like to do that as well,” the Hemel Hempstead-based player.

“The PGA course gives me a good base and solid a qualification at the end of it.”