GOLF: Cairndhu's Reid and Trainor win Lombard Trophy at K Club

The 42-year-old Cairndhu Golf Club amateur partnered PGA professional Barrie Trainor to card a 10 under par round of 62 to win by two shots ahead of East Cork Golf Club’s Don Macfarlane and Darren Burns.

Now the Larne-based duo will play in the £41,500 grand final which is supported by Coca Cola and is being staged at beautiful Pestana Golf Resort in Vila Sol from September 22-23.

“Everything seemed to work fine, and playing at the K Club really suited my game,” said 11 handicapper Reid who has been a member at Cairndhu for 16 years.

“We came along just to enjoy ourselves really, but now we’re the final so that’s great.

“I’ve been playing golf for about 22 years and I’m part of the furniture at Cairndhu now.”

The pair did not drop a shot and put themselves in a strong position by being six under par after the front nine.

Macfarlane and Burns held the lead but they were eclipsed by the Cairndhu pairing.

“It was one of those days when the professional and the amateur combined perfectly,” said Trainor.

“This is only my third attempt, before, I’ve played badly and the amateur has done well, or the amateur’s had a bad day and I’ve done well. And when it comes together that both of you have have a good day, then you have a chance of winning.

“That’s what happened here and it was a great day. I enjoyed playing the K Club, if you hit it straight then you’ll do well. I’ve never come that close to getting to the final before.

“I’m looking forward to getting out to Portugal again, but although I’ve played in Vilamoura a few times, I’ve never played this venue before.”

The Lombard Trophy Regional Final at The K Club final results: 1. 62 (-10), Barrie Trainor / Andrew Reid, Cairndhu Golf Club; 2. 64 (-8), Don Macfarlane / Darren Burns, East Cork Golf Club; 3. 65 (-7), James Warrington / David Morgan, Cherry Lodge Golf Club.