An amateur golfer from Rickmansworth is one step closer to playing with a star of the European Tour after winning a prestigious Bridgestone event on his club’s calendar.

Abhi Gantara won Bridgestone UK tyre division’s DriveGuard Trophy at Moor Park Golf Club, which has put him in the running for a round at the Pro-Am of the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, in October.

The 14 handicapper won the medal competition, which now qualifies him for a regional final at Buckinghamshire’s Burnham Becches Golf Club this month, followed by a Pro-Am appearance at the Bridgestone Challenge – a Challenge Tour event – at the end of August at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

And if Abhi is part of the winning team at Heythrop, he will then go on to play at the Pro-Am of the British Masters where he will play with a household name of the sport.

The 38-year-old has only recently got back into the game, having started a family, and is looking forward to testing himself in the next rounds of the Bridgestone DriveGuard Trophy.

“Winning such a big competition at the club is a brilliant feeling and having the chance to play at the British Masters Pro-Am would be amazing. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of!”

“My dad was a very keen golfer, playing three or four times a week. He was the main reason I started playing golf as it was a great way for us to spend time together. He passed away earlier this year and I know he would have been proud of my win.”

Abhi added: “Our course manager suggested making the Spring Medal into our Bridgestone DriveGuard Trophy qualifier. Nearly 200 members signed up to play over the weekend, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have played such a great round. It was just one of those days where things go your way.”

The highlight of the round came on the 15th hole, a long 450-yard par four.

He said: “I pushed my tee-shot out to the right and ended up behind a tree. From about 230 yards I managed to bend my shot around the tree and find the front of the green. It’s the sort of shot that only works once in every ten attempts, so I’m delighted it came off!”

The DriveGuard Trophy is free to enter and accessible to golfers of all ages and handicaps and is open to men, women and juniors.