Steed aims to take the reins at Gleneagles

A trainee actuary from Essex will warm up for his Autumn exams by playing his second Ryder Cup course in little over two weeks.

Ben Steed, right, who lives in Chelmsford, will tee up alongside his Channels PGA Professional Jason Levermore in the £43,600 Lombard Trophy grand final over the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles.

The duo, paired together for the first time in the regional final at Kings Lynn earlier this summer, were among 800 teams to enter the event, the largest pro-am in Europe.

They will be one of just 16 clubs still standing when they hit the fairways of the Auchterarder venue on September 1-2.

And Ipswich Town supporter Steed, 25, is relishing the opportunity to get away from the books for a few days – and comparing the experience to that offered up by 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor where he recently took a break with friends.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to play the two courses so close together,” he enthused.

“I’ve played the Belfry before too so I have got experience on that standard of course - I’ve never played them in anything like this though.

“I’ve only been playing golf for four years, all of my friends played it so I thought I would give it a go.

“While it was the social side that got me into it I am competitive so I love to go out there and compete.

“I play every weekend and take part in the club competitions, although this will be the biggest thing I’ve played in by far.

“But I’m going to enjoy the experience while I’m at Gleneagles, because when I get back I’m going to have to knuckle down for my exams!”

Steed will have ample support in Levermore, an established pro who is preparing for the PGA Pro-Captain Challenge final and the British Masters at Woburn, as well as the Gleneagles showpiece.

He will also jet out to California on September 18-20 to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the PGA Cup, widely recognised as the club pros’ equivalent to the Ryder Cup.

“I’ve been playing well so far this year and I would love to keep that going up at Gleneagles,” he confessed.

“I’ve got a lot of events coming up but I’ve tried not to change everything and just keep doing what I’m doing.

“I always feel in a pro-am event like this that the pressure is on the pro – if you go out there, play well and your amateur makes a couple of birdies you always stand a chance.

“Going off the regional final I’m confident we can go there and shoot a good score.”