Portugal appearance aids Glamorganshire's profile

Glamorganshire Golf Club amateur Dave Gooding says reaching the Lombard Trophy Final fits in with the fresh momentum they have built this year.

It is a new era for the Penarth club under Head Professional Matthew Dearden who arrived earlier this year with the aim of raising their profile.

And qualifiying for the final of the National Pro-Am Championship in the Algarve has done just that.

The duo made it through by winning the Regional Final in early August at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.

They carded an impressive 13 under par round of 58 but only by one shot ahead of another Welsh pair Toby Hunt and Mike Britton of  St Mellons Golf Club.

Now they will be aiming to win the £41,450, Coca-Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, showpiece which is being held at the Vila Sol resort between September 20-21.

And five handicapper Gooding, who has been a member at Glamorganshire since 1990, says the event comes at time when the club - one of the oldest in Wales - is entering a new era.

The club produced European Tour winner Mark Mouland, son of six times Welsh champion Sid Mouland.

“Matthew is only the fourth Head Professional the club’s ever had, we’ve had some really long serving ones including Sid Mouland,” said Gooding, who works at a car dealership in Cardiff. People tend to stay there once they’re here.

“Perhaps we don’t advertise the fact that we were one of the first clubs in South Wales, formed in 1890, so maybe we can do that through our golf instead.

“Matthew’s gutted the Pro Shop out and started again with that, he’s put a simulator in there, it’s really good for lessons and people have started going back in again. People are doing all they can to support him, it’s a nice addition. He’s got a new Assistant with him as well.”

Gooding hopes that Dearden can show his ability as a player as well in Portugal, with the club planning to be supported there by some of its members.

“He is also trying to get out and play a lot more, he’s a good player, I know him from old and he just needs a few games under his belt, we can hopefully pick up where we left off and go one step further. One of us has got to win it, so why not us?,” said 39-year-old Gooding.

“We played really consistently in the regional final.”

For more information on the 2018 Lombard Trophy Final click here.