Vince ready to resume double act with Hughes

Vince McCaffrey hopes familiarity pays off as he prepares to tee off in the Lombard Trophy Final.

The Masserene Golf Club amateur is teaming up with PGA Professional David Hughes for the National Pro-Am Championship which is being played in Portugal.

Hughes has been to the final before - and he is no stranger to playing alongside 11 handicapper McCaffrey as they regularly take part in Pro-Am events.

But this time they will head abroad for the £41,450, Coca-Cola and Pestana Resorts supported, grand final which will be played at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve between September 20-21.

McCaffrey, aged 53, says they need no introduction to each other and have prepared well for the final.

“We’re well organised for the event to be honest,” said McCaffrey, who runs an motor parts business.

“The only problem is that there’s a lot of people at the club talking about it - and I wish they wouldn’t as it’s putting us under a bit of pressure!

“If nobody knew anything about it, it wouldn’t be like that.

“But myself and David play the Pro-Am Alliance events together so this’ll be just like another event for us.

“David’s been to the final before but not to this course so I don’t think it’ll be that much of an advantage.”

They qualified by winning the Irish regional final on count back at Carton House Golf Club when they carded a seven under par round of 66 at the Co Kildare venue.

McCaffrey says he and Hughes’ record as a partnership is reasonable.

“Our form isn’t too bad, but we play these events because they’re enjoyable and we do it for the craic,” he added.

“The only difference for Portugal is that we’ve got new shirts and shoes for this event.”