Purbeck pair off to Dubai (From Dorset Echo)

Purbeck pair off to Dubai

9:44am Wednesday 4th May 2011 in Sport By Echo Reporter

ISLE of Purbeck duo Mike Perry and Samantha Hill have qualified for the Matchplay Championship Grand Final in Dubai next month.

The duo scored 38 stableford points in the hotly-contested mixed pairs event at the south regional final, which was hosted by Marriott St Pierre in South Wales.

They beat off thousands of other hopefuls from across the British Isles to book their tickets to the world-renowned Els Club for the concluding chapter of the UK’s largest amateur golf tournament.

Perry and Hill will enjoy seven nights of luxury accommodation at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel and three days’ competition, from May 7.

Filmed exclusively by Sky Sports’ cameras, the Dorset pair will have the chance to shine in front of a television audience usually reserved for the world’s best players.

Nine-handicapper Perry said: “Our matchplay championship experience has been fantastic from the very first round. The regional final was amazing and we’re thrilled to have qualified for the grand final in Dubai.

“Every pair has won five matches to get to this stage, so we knew we’d have to play well to get through.

“We’re really looking forward to the opportunity of bringing the trophy back to Isle of Purbeck.”