A GROUP of golfers from North and East Yorkshire are set to continue their quest for glory in Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy.

Kilnwick Percy Golf Club professional Aaron Pheasant and club amateur Steve Mullarkey will tee up in their regional final on May 26 at Dunham Forest GC.

And they will be followed five days later by professional Ian Tailby and amateur Dave Storey, from Pike Hills GC, and professional Steve Robinson and amateur Bill Thompson, from Malton and Norton GC, who will play their regional final at Sand Moor GC.

On Friday, June 2, Allerthorpe Park pro James Calam and Pocklington physical education teacher Brian Walker will be in action in their regional final at Hesketh GC.

A luxury five-day trip to Portugal is up for grabs if they can come out tops in the better-ball medal play format.

Each amateur player earned the chance to partner their respective clubs' professional by winning their club qualifying competitions.

Mullarkey, a depot manager from Pocklington, who has been playing golf for two years and plays off a handicap of 24, won his with a score of 40.

Storey, who lives in York and plays off five having played the game for 30 years, carded a winning nett 69, while 68-year-old 16 handicapper Thompson, who is retired and lives in Malton, hit a victorious nett 68.

Their respective playing partners are 27-year-old Pheasant, who has been a pro at Kilnwick Percy for 12 months, Tailby, 27, a pro at Pike Hills for six years, and Robinson, 43, Malton and Norton pro for 15 years.

The Lombard Trophy, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, is now in its 12th year and annually attracts more than 100,000 golfers from across Great Britain and Ireland. The prize fund totals almost £80,000, including £10,000 for the overall winning professional. The victorious pro in each regional final will also pick up £475.

The winners of the 16 regional finals will enjoy an expenses-paid trip to compete in the grand final on the Ocean Course, Vale De Lobo, Portugal, on September 6-10.

THE first York Union of Golf Clubs inter-district match has been set for May 21 at the home of new president Mike Gibson - Fulford Golf Club.

The first of seven inter-district matches against Yorkshire sides will be against Leeds, with the centenary-celebrating club hosting the first.

JOHN Foo had a hole-in-one at the recent York Union Kitching Trophy played at Forest Park. He achieved his ace at the 145 yards 14th hole, using his six iron.

Geoff's joy

GEOFF Bertram won the Old Foss Trophy at Forest Park GC with a nett 69 in a keenly contested event, with seven other players all on nett 70.