NELSON professional Simon Eaton is off to America next month for a trip of a lifetime following victory in the national finals of the Nike Oven 4Ball Championship.

Eaton, 35, and playing partner Paul Walker are among three pairs that will travel to Fort Worth, in Texas, to compete in October’s Championship final at the world-famous Colonial Country Club.

The course is home to the Crowne Plaza Invitational, one of the longest-running annual events on the US PGA Tour.

“It’s probably one of the top 10 courses in America,” said Eaton. “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to go out there and give it a shot.”

As well as an all-expenses trip to Texas, Eaton will also receive a VIP tour around The Oven, Nike Golf’s research and development facility.

He booked his place with Walker, of Knott End, after scoring 45 points in the Nike Oven 4Ball Championship English qualifier at Kibworth beating their nearest challengers by six points in the four-ball better ball stableford format.

They will now compete against Scottish winners Jonathan Porteous (Craigielaw) and Mark Patchett (Broomieknowe) and Irish counterparts Lee Owens (Killiney) and Leonard Owens (Royal Dublin) for the overall title at the Colonial from October 15-19.

It is the biggest success of the year for Eaton, who once played full-time on the EuroPro Tour and Tamsel Tour and, prior to turning professional at 18, held the junior captaincy at Burnley Golf Club and represented ELGA Boys and Lancashire Boys.

Earlier this summer, he finished second at the Ashworth Cup qualifier and, on September 29, is travelling to the Isle of Man for the Ramsey Classic.

“I’ve not really played an awful lot this year,” said Eaton. “But I’ve had a good strike rate in my last two events. I’m pleased with the way I’m playing.”