SENIOR PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Bill Lockie defends title at Northants

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Bill Lockie will return to the scene of his greatest triumph when he defends the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Northants County later this month.

The North Gailes Golf Centre pro - pictured right - leads the Scottish challenge at the 54-hole event (May 27-29) with vivid memories of his dramatic victory still fresh in his mind.

The 61-year-old clinched the £35,000 tournament by holing a 75ft putt on the last to win by a stroke from Mike Gallagher (Farthingstone) and Donald Stirling (Wien-Sussenbrunn).

“It was a memorable way to finish,” recalls Lockie

“It was 25 paces – we measured it out – and it was like an electric shock when it went in.

It was my first British title. I said last year that the win puts a good full stop on my playing career although I hope I can successfully play for a few more years to come.

I’m looking forward to returning to Northants County. It’s a parkland course with undulating fairways that fall off to the left or right so you need to put the ball in the right place but it’s a very fair test of golf. It’s also the club’s centenary year so it’s extra special to be returning to defend as champion. I’ve no real game plan - I just hope to play well put up a reasonable defence.”

Lockie’s victory had added significance as he had lost in a play-off for the same title at Coventry five years before at the age of 55.

"As you get a bit older you tend to think that was my opportunity and I didn’t manage to win so it was a tremendous feeling,” he added.

“I think it was a surprise for somebody of my age (60) managing to win it because you tend to imagine that it’s the younger guys just past 50 who would have the best chance.”

Lockie played on the fledgling European Tour back in the early 70s, earning a ninth place finish behind Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty in the Manchester Open. Another more painful memory is a broken nose courtesy of a wayward shot by Graham Burrows.

Among the Scots competing will be Lockie’s close friend John McTear (Mar Hall), who won the event in 2001. The tournament will have a strong Scottish contingent in the Midlands with the likes of Garry Harvey (Kinross Golf), Alistair Thomson (Inverness), Duncan Williamson (Kirkhill) and Ian Butcher (Kings Acre) making the trip along with a number of Anglo-based Scots.

An added incentive for top 20 finishers in the tournament is qualification for the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall (June 25-28).Competitor draw and full list of entries for the event at Northants County can be found under ‘Schedule, Scores and Results’ at http://www.pga.info/SeniorPGAProfessionalChampionship.aspx