St Andrews ready for take-off

Former RAF serviceman Mike Cordner was flying high after sealing his place at the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro Captain Challenge final in Turkey.

St Andrews Golf Club captain Cordner, right, teamed up with PGA Professional Garry Forrester for the qualifying event at Haggs Castle Golf Club.

And they won through on countback after tying at the top of the leaderboard with John Harrison and Neil Conway (Matfen Hall Golf Club) and Stuart Kerr and Robert Scott (Strathaven Golf Club) who all carded a six-under-par rounds of 66.

Cordner and Forrester - who teaches junior players at St Andrews Golf School - made 33 on the back nine at the Glasgow venue.

And they will now go to the £25,000 grand final, supported by Canopius, at the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, from November 26-27.

It was the first time St Andrews had entered the event.

And Cordner, who now runs a guest house close to the St Andrews course, admitted the victory is a huge boost for the club.

“All the kids look up to Garry at the golf school and they were thrilled when they heard we’d be playing in this event,” said Cordner, 53, who plays off a handicap of two.

“But they’ll be absolutely chuffed when they find out we’ve won!

“I wanted us to enter and I thought there’d be an opportunity to do it this year, but I didn’t think we’d go out and actually win it.”

The pair needed a birdie at the 18^th hole to tie with their rivals and it proved enough to take them to the final.

“We had to deal with a swirling wind, and it rained on and off, but we’re used to it based where we are,” explained Forrester.

“Myself and Mike tagged off each other really well.

“Neither of us has played in Turkey for and we’re delighted to be in the final at our first attempt.”

Forrester is affiliated to St Andrews Golf School while Cordner is the club captain.

“I’m very much involved in the junior programme and getting more junior members,” added Forrester.