GARY Walker and his Redditch Kingfisher PGA Professional Chris Stanley are one step away from following in the footsteps of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes with an appearance in the Lombard Trophy final at Gleneagles.

Walker teed up a chance to tread the fairways of the PGA Centenary Course, venue for the dramatic matchplay win over the US last year, between September 1 and 2, when he won his club qualifying competition with a nett score of 62.

He and Stanley now advance to the regional final at Coventry Golf Club on July 22, 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.

Lombard, the UK’s largest asset finance provider which invests in local and regional business, has enjoyed a long association with the event, helping make it the biggest Pro-Am in Europe.

The tournament attracts more than 700 entries from upwards of 700 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland. Lombard originally sponsored the tournament from 1995-2006 before returning as main sponsor in 2013.

The PGA National Pro-Am Championship has a total prize fund of £80,000, with the winning professional at the grand final taking home a cheque for £12,000.

Walker, is a 31, has been playing golf for four years and plays off a handicap of 18.

Chris Stanley, 38, has been a professional at Redditch Kingfisher for 18 months.