STEPHEN Senior from Ben Rhydding Golf Club is one step closer to the round of a lifetime with a European Tour star, after he won through a regional final of the Bridgestone Chase Your Dream Trophy, run in partnership with England Golf.

The 14-handicapper, from Ilkley, kept alive his dream of a place in the pro-am of the British Masters when he qualified at Bolton Old Links Golf Club.

Now, he’ll head to England Golf Week in August at Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire, for the national finals of the Chase Your Dream Trophy.

The top players there will play in the pro-am of the Bridgestone Challenge and the winning team there will make a date for the British Masters.

It is a journey which is already capturing the imaginations of thousands of amateur golfers in clubs affiliated to England Golf, just as it did in its inaugural year 12 months ago.

Last year, the three overall winners partnered Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts at the pro-am of the British Masters at Close House.

Stephen, who scored a net 75 in qualifying on the Lancashire course, was overwhelmed to qualify for the next round, saying: “I’m delighted. I never expected to get this far and to move into the national finals is fantastic.

“I kept a good steady round in Bolton and I won’t forget a fantastic 30ft putt. I’ll keep replaying that until August!”

The 51-year-old said he’s not thinking too far ahead, admitting: “I’m only thinking to the round at Frilford – I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

“If I do qualify from there, I’ll be over the moon!”

Bridgestone’s Consumer Sales & Marketing Director, Farrell Dolan said: “Stephen has done fantastically to qualify for the next round among a field of fantastic golfers. He’ll continue to chase his dream of playing at the British Masters!

“Our Chase Your Dream Trophy has captured the imaginations of many, many golfers. We want to build on our 2017 successes and create another competition that is etched in the diaries of English amateur players – including Stephen!”

You can visit www.nomatterwhat.uk.com for more information about Bridgestone and its Chase Your Dream concept.