Downfield professional Kenny Hutton and his amateur partner, Bob Butter (left). Image by courtesy of the PGA and Andy Forman.

Kenny and Bob are chasing some Turkish Delight

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
A Dundee golfer is poised to have two bites at grabbing a piece of Turkish delight.
Downfield Golf Club professional Kenny Hutton jets off to the Mediterranean, aiming to add a silver-lining to his season as he tees up in the Beko Classic next week, before teaming up with amateur Bob Butter in the PGA National Pro-Am Championship – Europe’s largest pro-am.
The 45-year-old pro from Muir of Ord is relishing his two opportunities ahead of the curtain falling on what has been a ‘solid’ 2008.
It will be the second successive year that Hutton has played in the PGA National Pro-Am Championship final and he’s looking to learn from last year’s experience, which saw him and then partner Tom Anderson finish 11th.
“I would say I’m better prepared than I was last year,” he said.“I’ve been trying to keep playing more because I made the mistake of not playing so I’m determined to be far sharper.
“I’ve not played as much as I would’ve liked this year because of business commitments but I’m happy with the way I’ve played, which has been pretty solid.”
Hutton and Butter will be one of 16 pairs from Great Britain and Ireland attempting to win the tournament, which will be staged over the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club for the second successive year.
The pair, who are being joined by their wives, will have an all-expenses-paid stay at the five-star Sirene Beach and Hotel Resort.
Also at stake is a £5,000 top prize for the winning professional and Hutton admits his partner, who plays off 11, will be key to the challenge.“My job will be to keep my amateur partner right as they really matter in this tournament,” he said.
“You won’t win unless your partner is scoring some net birdies because we’re not tour players who are going to be shooting seven and eight under a round.
“We’ll be looking to get four or five and your partner to wade in with the rest.”
The 56-hole Beko Classic, staged at the Cornelia Course and organised by the PGAs of Europe, tees off on November 27, with the PGA National Pro-Am Championship being contested on December 2 and 3.