THE EASTERN regional final of the Lombard Trophy tees off today at Gog Magog in Cambridge where several local golfers will be hoping to progress to the competition's grand final, which will be played at the Hotel Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf Course in Portugal.

The trophy is the largest PGA administered Pro-Am competition in Europe and has 16 regional finals held nationally, two of which are in the eastern region with the first of the pair being held last week in King's Lynn.

West Essex Golf Club in Chingford will have professional Robert Joyce, 41, and amateur Chris Bullivant, 64, flying the flag for the club.

Joyce has been the club professional for eight years while Bullivant, of Woodford Green, has been playing for ten years and has a handicap of 15.

Theydon Bois Golf Club will have Richard Hall and Stephen Henwood representing them as their professional and amateur golfers respectively.

Henwood, 48, of Harlow has been playing for 20 years and will be playing off a handicap of 16 and his partner, Hall, 40 has been the club professional for eight years.

Representing Chigwell's Woolston Manor course will be Paul Eady, 31, and Jason Spurr, 27. Eady has been Woolston Manor's club pro for six years and Spurr of Woodford Green has been playing for seven years and has a handicap of five.

Professional prize money for the winner of the pro-am competition will be awarded with a total prize fund of £2,500 while the amateurs in the leading four teams will receive prizes.

Secretary for the PGA's Eastern Region, John Smith said: "We are delighted that the Gog Magog Golf Club will be hosting a Lombard Trophy regional final. The course will see 100 competitors will be competing to win a spot in the grand final."

West Essex professional Robert Joyce said: "I think that we have got a really good chance. Chris is a very good golfer and we will definitely be playing as a team and I'll give him any advice or help that he needs.

"We have done well in the Lombard Trophy for the last three or four years and Chris and I have said that we're just going to enjoy the day and make the most of it."

Bullivant is also eager to enjoy the day out. He said: "I wouldn't say we were confident of winning, but we are definitely confident of having a lovely day and a nice round of golf.

"I went up to Gog Magog for a practice round, it's very nice there and I'm looking forward to going back.

"It will be nice to team up with Robert, he is a real professional and a really nice bloke."

June 27, 2002 10:30