Stellar line-up for Lombard Trophy

Ryder Cup and US Open qualifying course Walton Heath (above) is among an exciting line up of regional final venues in the 2015 Lombard Trophy which climaxes with a grand final at Gleneagles.

The Surrey gem’s Old Course, which bore witness to arguably the strongest side in US history in the 1981 Ryder Cup, is one of 16 courses that will host qualifiers in the £80,000 event which carries a £12,000 first prize.

Sixteen finalists will go through to compete over 36-holes at Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary Course from September 1-2.

Camberley Heath will kick start the action on Wednesday, May 27 with the popular Harry Vardon-designed Little Aston the next stop two days later.

June sees stops at Formby (June 9), Burnham & Berrow (June 11), Crieff (June 16), Pollok (June 18), Old Fold Manor (June 24), Dunham Forest (June 26) and six-time Senior PGA Championship venue Northants County (June 29).

Fulford is the opening venue for July on Thursday, July 2 with Bovey Castle July 6), Walton Heath (July 8), 2006 Ryder Cup course The K Club (July 13), King’s Lynn (July 16), Royal Ashdown Forest (July 20) and Coventry Golf Club (July 22) completing the line-up.

More than 750 clubs entered last year’s tournament, which was won by Cornwall’s St Kew Golf Club, and with the event going from strength to strength, tournament organisers expect that figure to increase in 2015.

Ben Groutage, PGA head of tournaments, commented: “We’ve added seven new venues from last year to provide another first class line-up of courses.

“We hope clubs will again support the regional finals, which offer pros and amateurs alike, a superb tournament experience and one I’m sure they will all enjoy.

“With the support of Lombard, the PGA National Pro-Am Championship remains one of The PGA’s most popular events and we look forward to building on its recent success.”

Ian Isaac, head of sales at Lombard, added: "After a record number of entries in 2014, this year’s Lombard Trophy promises to be another exciting competition.

“It’s great to once again be working with the PGA to offer the opportunity for professional and amateur golfers to play some fantastic courses.

"The competition culminates at Gleneagles, which proved itself a fantastic venue for last year’s Ryder Cup and which offers a great incentive for this year’s participants. We’d like to welcome all the golfers taking part in the 2015 Lombard Trophy and wish everyone the best of luck."

Entry packs have been posted to all clubs in the UK while clubs can also enter online through BlueGolf. Click here for the online entry pack.

The full list of Lombard Trophy regional final venues and dates:

Camberley Heath      (South)         Wednesday, May 27 

Little Aston              (Midland)       Friday, May 29

Formby                   (North)         Tuesday, June 9

Burnham & Berrow   (South West)  Thursday, June 11

Crieff                     (Scotland)      Tuesday, June 16

Pollok                     (Scotland)      Thursday, June 18

Old Fold Manor         (East)           Wednesday, June 24

Dunham Forest        (North)         Friday, June 26

Northants County      (Midland)       Monday, June 29

Fulford                             (North)         Thursday, July 2

Bovey Castle            (South West)  Monday, July 6

Walton Heath (Old)    (South)         Wednesday, July 8

The K Club (Palmer)  (Ireland)        Monday, July 13

King’s Lynn              (East)           Thursday, July 16

Royal Ashdown Forest (South)        Monday, July 20

Coventry                 (Midland)       Wednesday July 22

Gleneagles               (Grand Final) September 1-2