CHRIS Boothman and his Breightmet PGA Professional Kieron Gaskell are among the local golfers one step away from following in the footsteps of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes with an appearance in the Lombard Trophy final at Gleneagles.

Boothman teed up a chance to tread the fairways of the PGA Centenary Course, venue for the dramatic matchplay win over the United States last year, between September 1-2 when he won his club qualifying competition with a nett score of 66.

He and Gaskell now advance to the regional final at Formby Golf Club on June 9, 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.

Joining them will be Bolton's Simon Croft and his Bolton PGA Professional Ian Orrell.

Croft, is a 33-year-old supply chain specialist living in Buckshaw Village.

He has been playing golf for four years and plays off a handicap of 14 while Ian Orrell, 37, has been a professional at Bolton for four years.

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.