NORTH BERWICK PAIR WIN TRIP TO TURKEY

FROM THE PGA E-BULLETIN
North Berwick Golf Club captain Jim Shearer admitted he was in a state of shock after sealing a trip to Turkey in The Lombard Challenge.
Shearer partnered head PGA professional Martyn Huish in the PGA Pro-Captain tournament qualifier at Crail Golf Club and surprised himself by topping the leaderboard.
The pair sneaked home by one shot despite dropping two shots on the back nine, pipping Gordon Stewart and Iain Wallace (Cawder Golf Club) and Anthony Mackrell and Robert Martin (Playsport Golf) with an eight-under-par 64.
The East Lothian pairing's efforts have earned them a place in the £25,000 grand final over the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey from November 30-December 1.
"I was shocked at the result usually because I don't tend to win anything!" said Shearer who plays off 13.
"I didn't make the best of starts but we were out in 30 and coming back, although we bogeyed 12 and 14, we managed to turn it around again with a birdie and a nett eagle at the 17th.
"I didn't turn up expecting to win, in fact, I was just hoping not to embarrass myself so to win made it a great day and I can't wait for the final." 

Also looking for to the grand final is the Nenagh Golf Club pairing of captain Sean Minogue and Glasgow-born PGA pro Ryan McCann who topped a nail-biting Irish qualifier at Roganstown.

They carded a six-under-par round of 65 to finish level with the Naas Golf Club pairing of Gavin Lunny and John Dunne but won courtesy of a better back nine. For McCann, it meant a final appearance at last after narrowly missing out in 2009 when beaten by one shot.
“It’s good to finally make it, but it was a close thing. We were three-under for the back nine and won on countback. We were very solid all day.”
Minogue, who plays off a handicap of 22, admitted that the pair had an anxious wait before confirming their place in the final.
“We had to wait for an hour to find out we’d won but when we found out, we were delighted. I knew how close Ryan had come to it before and I was pleased for him. It’s a prestigious event for our club, an absolutely brilliant day.”