Returning golfer eyes Lombard scalp

A golfer from Greenock is set for an appearance in Europe’s largest pro-am despite only returning to his childhood sport earlier this year.

Paul Carroll, a member at Gourock Golf Club, will head to Pollock with his PGA Professional Derek Watters for the regional final of the Lombard Trophy on June 18.

There he will bid for a place in the championship final which carries a total prize fund of £80,000 and will take place over the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, the venue for last year’s Ryder Cup, on September 1-2.

Carroll gave up golf after college when he ran out of time to practise upon taking a job with Rolls Royce.

But the 26 year old, now an engineer with the firm, admitted he has been bitten by the golfing bug again after becoming a member of Gourock in March.

“I was a decent golfer as a junior and played in a few different events,” he explained.

“I remember my local course did a deal for juniors, me and a few pals signed up and it cost us £20 for a full year’s membership.

“But then when I started working I just found that I didn’t have the same time to go out and practice.

“It took me a couple of weeks to get back into it but I’ve completely been bitten by the bug again.

“I was out of the game for almost 10 years, but I’ve found that I’ve been able to pick it up again quite easily.

“It’s all about practice and qualifying for this event has given me an excuse to go out and play more than I maybe might have done otherwise.”

Carroll, who plays off a handicap of 10, is now looking forward to seeing how his own game matches up to that of the professionals at Pollock.

“For me this is all about going there and seeing how my game compares to the pros,” he said.

“I’m hoping to get a few tips from Derek and we’ll see how well we can do from there.

“I’d love to play Gleneagles, I’ve played the King’s Course before but it wasn’t in anything like this.

“I’d love to be able to go there, test myself, and hold my own against some really talented golfers.”