Tilt at glory for Carrick GC duo Orchin and Neill

A tilt at golfing glory awaits amateur John Neill and his Carrickfergus PGA professional James Orchin as they bid to reach the Lombard Trophy grand final being staged at Gleneagles – just three weeks before Europe and America meet in the Ryder Cup.
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Neill teed up a chance to tread the fairways of the King’s Course at the famous Scottish resort between September 3-4 when he won his club qualifying competition with a nett score of 64.

He and Orchin now advance to the regional final at The K Club on Tuesday, June 17, where they will compete against up to 70 other clubs for the chance to secure one of 16 prized spots available for the 36-hole grand final.

“We are delighted to be associated with the tournament, and wish all the regional finalists good luck as they try and win a place at Gleneagles,” said managing director of Lombard, Richard Hemsley.

“With the 2014 Ryder Cup taking place just three weeks after the Lombard Trophy, it gives the final an extra dimension with competitors able to soak up the build-up ahead of the European and American showdown.”

The tournament attracts entries from upwards of 700 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland.

Neill is a 47-year-old building contractor who has been playing golf for 20 years and plays off a handicap of eight. Orchin, 30, has been a professional at Carrickfergus for four years. He represented his club as an amateur at all senior levels by the age of 16.

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