Golfing duo bid to reach final in Egypt

IPSWICH golfers Colin Bean and Gary Morgan are just 18 holes away from competing in the final of one of Europe's biggest amateur tournaments - at a luxury five-star resort in Egypt.

Bean and 25-handicapper Morgan, who play at Rushmere Golf Club, have won their way through to the regional finals of the prestigious Matchplay Championship with a series of impressive performances.

They have already beaten off competition from more than 1,600 other golfers to secure a place at the regional final at the renowned The Vale course in Wales.

Now, they will do battle in the south regional final on Tuesday, March 25, where 20 pairs will look to win a place in the grand final at the luxurious Marriott Taba Heights Resort in Egypt.

In total four men's pairs from the south regional final will qualify for the all-expenses paid trip to the grand final from April 19-26.

Bean, 46, who is a nine-handicapper, said: “We are delighted to have qualified for the regional final and to be in with a chance of winning a place in the grand final in Egypt.

When we entered the tournament back in July we never truthfully expected to get this far and the fact that we are just one round away from playing in the final in Egypt is incredible.

“We are looking forward to playing at such a prestigious venue as The Vale and even if we don't qualify for the grand final the experience of just getting this far has been amazing.”

The Matchplay Championship, which costs just £20 per person to enter, is one of Europe's biggest amateur competitions with more than 800 teams from the UK and Ireland competing.

Sixteen teams from across the UK and Ireland - including men's and mixed pairs - will qualify for the week-long all expenses paid trip to play in the grand final at Taba Heights in Egypt.

The Marriott resort, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea cost, is famed worldwide for its luxurious surroundings, championship golf course and stunning scenery.