AN OVERTON golfer is one step away from winning a place in a national final.

After winning a qualifying competition at his home club, Test Valley, Graham Devereux will team up with professional Alastair Briggs to compete at the regional final of the Lombard Trophy next week.

If they manage to win that, they will secure one of 16 coveted spots available for the grand final, which will be played on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Devereux, who lives in Overton with his wife and owns independent wine merchant Caviste, has been playing golf for more than 20 years and currently has a handicap of 10.

He secured his place at the regional final by winning Test Valley's qualifying competition with a nett score of 71 (par).

As a result, he will travel to Camberley Heath Golf Club on May 27, playing alongside Briggs, Test Valley's long-standing professional.

There they will compete against up to 70 other pairs, with just one place available in the 36-hole grand final at Gleneagles.

The final will be played on the PGA Centenary Course, the venue for Europe's dramatic victory over the USA in last year's Ryder Cup.

The Lombard Trophy attracts entries from more than 700 clubs across Britain and Ireland, with the winning professional picking up a cheque for £12,000.

Last year's winners were PGA professional Richard O'Hanlon and amateur partner Andy Jones from St Kew Golf Club, in Cornwall.