Walton Heath set to host Lombard regional final

Former Ryder Cup venue Walton Heath is set to play host to the regional final of Europe’s largest pro-am event, the Lombard Trophy.

The event, which will take place on July 8, will see pairings from across the area battle for a place in the £80,000 grand final at Gleneagles on September 1-2.

The teams, made up of the club competition winner and their professional partner, will be vying for a single spot in the showpiece event, won last year by St Kew pairing Richard O’Hanlon and Andy Jones.

The final will be played over the PGA Centenary Course, scene for Europe’s dramatic victory in the Ryder Cup last year.

Surrey club Walton Heath has a rich history. Alongside being the venue for the prestigious biennial matches between the United States and Europe in 1981, it has also played host to the European Open and the Senior Open Championship.

Now it is set to welcome PGA Professionals and amateurs from clubs across the south of England including Chipping Sodbury, Woodbridge and West Berkshire, the latter of which is home to three-time Lombard Trophy finalist and ex-PGA Professional champion Paul Simpson.

The Lombard Trophy attracts more than 800 entries every year with each club hoping to secure one of just 16 spots the final.

The event, which was established in 1979, has changed hands every year since its inception with Kedleston Park the only club to have won more than once. European Senior Tour player Paul Wesslingh teamed up with Chris Nye to win in 2005 before Ian Walley and Ian Neal combined to take the championship in 2013.

So far 11 spots for this year’s final have been claimed, with five more up for grabs for the showpiece event at the start of September.