A GOLF trip of a lifetime awaits Blackpool amateur Peter Whittle and PGA professional Andrew Lancaster if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy.

Whittle took his first big step towards a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses, San Lorenzo in Portugal, when he won his club qualifying round on May 15 with a nett score of 67.

The pair now advance to the regional final at Hesketh Golf Club on July 26 where they'll play one round of better-ball medal play.

The winners of 18 regional finals throughout Britain and Ireland will enjoy an all-expenses luxury trip to compete at San Lorenzo from October 1-5.

Whittle, 69, is married with one son and lives in Staining.

He is now retired and a part from golf he also enjoys photography.

He plays off a handicap of 20 and as part of his prize for winning the competition at his club, he received a Lombard Trophy golf sweater manufactured by Lyle & Scott.

His professional playing partner, 31-year-old Lancaster, has been the club professional at Lytham Green Drive for seven years.

Sponsored by Lombard, one of the most innovative finance companies in the UK, the competition offers amateur prizes to the value of around £100,000 - and the overall professional purse adds up to £65,500.

Now in its fifth year, the Lombard Trophy boasts a record entry this year of more than 1200 clubs from all over Britain and Ireland.

Last year's winners were the Wearside club from Sunderland, represented by their head greenkeeper Barry Walker (handicap 13) and professional Doug Brolls.

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