Leicestershire duo prepare for Fourball qualifier

Craig Shave is hoping to turn around a disappointing year by reaching the final of the Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship.

The Whetstone Golf Club pro will partner Rothley Park PGA Professional Matthew Cort for the regional qualifier, which takes place at Wolverhampton’s Swindon Golf Club on Tuesday 30 July.

The pair will be aiming to reach the £28,750 BMW-supported final which will be held at Forest Pines Hotel in Lincolnshire on October 2-4.

Last year the Leicestershire duo finished second in the final, one shot short of the leaders, and both are hoping to go one step further this time around.

Shave believes that in-form Cort, who will attempt to seal his third successive PGA Assistants’ Championship title in Coventry just over a week later, will help drive them to victory when they play at Swindon.

He said: “Matt’s had a really good year but mine’s been rubbish if I’m honest - things just haven’t gone my way.

“I was disappointed not to make the PGA Cup squad this year so I’m hoping to pick up some decent results from now on.”

Crucially, Shave believes Cort will be fully focused on returning to Forest Pines despite his appearance in the Assistants’ final at Coventry.

He added: ‘I think Matt is looking at the big picture, he won’t see this as preparation for Coventry specifically. He’s playing well and has got some big things lined up.”

And he is excited for the opportunity to play in the Forest Pines final.

He said: “This is quite an enjoyable form of the game, but once you get to the final it all starts to become a bit more competitive. It would be nice to get back and try to win it this time.

Other teams taking part at Swindon Golf Club include: John Bandurak (Great Barr) and Andrew Cheese (Sutton Coldfield) Scott Emery (Woodhall Spa) and Sam Dawson (Boston); Jak Hamblett (Handsworth) and Dan Higgs (Walsall); Matt Morris and Liam James (Robert Rock Golf Academy); James and Gary Stafford (Burton On Trent); Steven and Mark Whittle (Leicestershire); and Andrew Willey and Richard Reed (Notts)