Five are lining up a shot at Birkdale

Five players, two venues, one mission - that's the equation for a handful of leading Shropshire golfers seeking to fulfil their childhood dreams next week.

Patshull Park's Craig Simmons and Hill Valley's Matthew Edwards will be flying the flag for the county's club professionals at final qualifying for the Open Championship on Monday and Tuesday.

And Duncan Harris, Jonathan Gidney and Oliver Farr will be attempting to became what is believed to be the first amateur from the county to reach the world's biggest tournament since Sandy Lyle in 1974.

Hillside will be the destination for Shrewsbury's Harris and Gidney, of Church Stretton, who will play in the group behind former Open runner-up Jean Van De Velde.

And Simmons, Farr of Ludlow, and Edwards - who is in the same group as Lee Rooke of Vale of Llangollen - will be heading to West Lancashire for their once-in-a-life-time opportunity to try and seal a place in a Major championship field.

Some 96 players will be at each of the three courses - Southport & Ainsdale is the other - with the leading four from each venue heading to Royal Birkdale the following week.

And Harris, a former Welsh international and at 32 the most experienced of the Shropshire amateurs, has summed up what will be at stake in a nerve-shredding 48 hours.

"It will be the biggest achievement of my golfing career if I can make it so it's just about giving it your best shot," said Harris.

"You just have to stay relaxed. You will hit bad shots and it's just a case of putting them to the back of your mind.

"I know if I can produce my best, I've a good chance."

The starting times are (Monday first):

Hillside - Duncan Harris (Shrewsbury) 8.00/11.22, Jonathan Gidney 12.03/8.41.

West Lancashire - Craig Simmons (Patshull) 10.22/7.00, Matthew Edwards (Hill Valley) 11.22/8.00, Oliver Farr (Ludlow) 12.03/8.41.

By James Garrison