A GOLF trip of a lifetime awaits amateur David Barr and his Bolton Golf Club professional Bob Longworth if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy.

Barr took his first big step towards a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses, San Lorenzo in Portugal, when he won the club qualifying competition with a nett score of 73.

He and Longworth now advance to the regional final on May 15 at Dunham Forest Golf Club, where they will play one round of better-ball medal play.

The winners of 16 regional finals throughout Britain and Ireland will enjoy an all expenses paid luxury trip to compete at San Lorenzo from September 5-9.

David Barr, a capacity planner for BT from Bolton, has been playing golf for 35 years and plays off a handicap of six. His hobbies, apart from golf, include supporting Bolton Wanderers.

Robert Longworth, 58, has been the club professional at Bolton for 30 years. He is a former PGA Cup player, competing in 1996.

The winning professional in the regional final receives £475, and there are valuable prizes for the top amateurs. The winning professional in Portugal will receive £7,500.

Now in its ninth year, the Lombard Trophy has an entry this season of around 100,000 club golfers from all over Britain and Ireland. Last year's winners were the Yorkshire club, Oulton Park, represented by their professional Steve Gromett and 12-handicapper Alan Cooper.