Super sub Matt tees up trip to Portugal

Last minute super sub Matt Leach, right, played a blinder to help fire Hartford Golf Club into the grand final of the Lombard Trophy in Portugal.

The 19 handicapper, who didn’t know he was teeing up in the event until 7pm last night, teamed up with head PGA pro Adam Powell to card an 11-under-par 61 in the Dunham Forest qualifier.

Their three shot victory over rival clubs Dean Wood, Runcorn, Tytherington and Vicars Cross golf clubs secured the pair a trip to the £41,500 grand final which is supported by Coca Cola and will be staged at the stunning Pestana Golf Resort in Vila Sol, Portugal, from September 22-23.

Leach was called into action after the original amateur fell ill and then the first reserve couldn’t get time off work.

“It’s really exciting to reach the final and I certainly didn’t expect it because it wasn’t until 7pm last night that I even knew I was playing,” said Leach.

But he few showed few signs of nerves as he reeled of ten nett birdies and one nett eagle, much to the delight of his partner who has been head pro at Hartford for ten years.

“Matt was playing great, and I was just nice and steady and trying to coax and nudge him round,” said Powell.

“We were five under after six holes and set ourselves the target of 12 under. We had one blip at 13 and then just said let’s go for it.”

Amateur Leach credited his driving as key to his success.

“I played in an invitational event on Monday and my driving was off so I wasn’t expecting too much but everything came together today – it was a bit of freakish round but I hope my form can continue as I have the club championships on Saturday.”

Leach, who previously worked at Hartford but in November became club manager at sister club Pryors Hayes, has only been playing golf for two years but credits coaching with the latter’s pro Adrian Hill as helping him improve.

“Instead of sitting in front of the TV, I’ve been practicising hard over the winter, having coaching with Adrian and had all the club fitting so I’m starting to reap the benefits,” he added.