Two amateur golfers will go head-to-head for a place in the final of the Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles this September - three weeks before the Ryder Cup takes place at the same course.

Peter Heaney of Toot Hill Golf Club and his PGA professional Mark Bishop shot 70 in their club qualifier, whilst Lee Picton of North Weald and his PGA professional, Matt Stables, shooting a three under-par score of 68 in their qualifier.

The two pairs will now face-off for a place in the final of the tournament at Orsett Golf Club on June 24, with 16 of a potential 70 pairings progressing to the final at the iconic Scottish course on the weekend of September 3/4.

Just three weeks later, the course will host the stars of the European and American game in the prestigious Ryder Cup.

Heaney, 48, hails from Ongar and is a company director for a living, playing off a handicap of five. Partner Bishop has been a professional at Toot Hill for the last 18 years.

Epping-based carpenter Picton is partnered by Stables, 36, who has been a professional at North Weald for 18 months.

Managing director of Lombard, Richard Hemsley said: "With the 2014 Ryder Cup taking place just three weeks after the Lombard Trophy, it gives the final an extra dimension with competitors able to soak up the build-up ahead of the European and American showdown."

Now in its 30th year, the tournament attracts entries from upwards of 700 clubs across Great Britain and Ireland.

The PGA National Pro-Am Championship has a total prize fund of £80,000, with the winning professional at the grand final taking home a cheque for £12,000. Last year's winners were PGA professional Ian Walley and amateur partner Ian Neal from Kedleston Park Golf Club in Derbyshire.