A golf trip of a lifetime awaits amateur Matthew Jones and Boyce Hill pro Graham Burroughs if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy.

Jones took his first step towards a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses, San Lorenzo in Portugal, when he won the club qualifier with a net 63.

He and Burroughs now advance to the regional final at Harpenden on Monday, July 3, where the winner will join 13 other pairs going for the all expenses paid trip to Portugal from September 29 to October 3.

Jones, 30, is self-employed and lives in Thundersley. He plays off three and, apart from golf, loves football and supports West Ham.

Burroughs, 53, has been the pro at the Benfleet club for 26 years.

All systems go

It is the BAE Systems national golf week from April 21 - May 1 and there's a chance for those who want to take up the game to get free lessons.

Chadwell Heath's Warren Park Golf Centre is among those participating. Call 020 8597 1120 to book your free lesson. The week is being backed by Colin Montgomerie.

Avenue drive in at Frinton

Avenue Golf Society have their first outing of the year on Tuesday week at Frinton, where greens are reputed to be quite treacherous, when they play for the Bearfield Trophy for the first time.

It is named after David Bearfield, a friend of Avenue secretary Lewis Underwood, who died in a mountaineering accident in the Cairn-gorms in January this year.

Anyone wishing to make the trip to Frinton as a guest can contact Lewis on 01702 337247 or 0771 440 8304.

Roy George tops the charts at Southend senior medal match

Southend Golf Club played their April medal in varied conditions at the weekend.

Saturday started foggy but turned into glorious sunshine but Sunday, although rain free, was blustery.

Roy George took top honours in the senior section with a controlled gross 67 off 12. He had nine pars with a birdie at 16.

Club secretary Alan Wood, who also plays off 12, was runner-up on 69. He could only muster four pars, but birdied ten, 13 and 16.

Peter Gregory was third with the same score but an inferior back nine. He went out in 39 and back in 42. Tony Jaques was fourth with a steady two 40s off ten for a net 70.

Onlookers must have thought they were watching the pros in action in the US Masters in Augusta when Eddie Brown started birdie, birdie, and grossed 36 for the front nine in the junior section.

But he could not maintain his rhythm and faltered to a back nine 44, totalling 80 and net 67.

He even had to witness playing partner Arthur Smith grabbing an eagle at the par five 14th, but Brown emerged the victor.

Runner-up Derek Bell had ten pars in his first 16 holes for a gross 83 (68) off 15.

Ron Edwards and Trevor Bulless were third and fourth respectively with net 69s.

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