NELSON PGA professional Neil Reeves is hoping to take a big step towards winning a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses.

The final takes place at Hesketh Golf Club on 19 May giving the players a chance to book their place in San Lorenzo.

The prize is an all expenses trip to compete at the Portuguese course at the beginning of September, joining winners from the 16 regional finals from throughout Britain and Ireland.

Reeves, 34, will be competing in the regional final of the Lombard Trophy along with Nelson based amateur David Bertram.

"I will be playing alongside David, who plays off a handicap of five and has been a good player for some years now. We are both very much looking forward to the competition."

Reeves will be hoping to emulate his performance at Hesketh last year, when he won the Lombard Trophy qualifier.

"Having won the qualifier last year and going on to play in San Lorenzo I am definitely looking forward again to the event this year," he said.

"It was a fantastic event and opportunity for me last year, and with around 100,000 people entering it, it is a massive competition. There is also a considerable level of media interest in the event."

He has been professional at Nelson for 12 months now and, looking back over the year, he commented: "Last year was a good year for the club.

"It was a busy year and we are a busy club with a lot of organising to be done. We have now got the shop and teaching sessions up and running which is good news for everyone involved.

"Nelson is a fantastic course to play on. The practise and teaching facilities are second to none.

"Being from Nelson, it is a honour to be involved at such a high level for the club."

Reeves is no stranger to the Hesketh course, having played there last year, commenting:"It's like no course in Britain, obviously because of the weather and general conditions it is a very good course to play on. It really is a spectacular course."

"Before the event I will be teaching over in Spain, which will be good preparation. Hopefully I will go into it in top-form."

Before becoming the professional at the club, Neil was involved in a teaching centre in Yorkshire. He is still involved in the coaching aspect of the game, and is involved with the coaching of several tour players.