They have had to contend with a golfing holiday to Florida and golden wedding anniversary celebrations.

But the senior team from The Shropshire Golf Centre enter their quest for national golf glory tomorrow full of confidence.

Victories over teams from Cotswolds-based Naunton Downs, Rugby and Henley-in-Arden have assured The Shropshire a place in the National Seniors Club Classic Plate final at Tewksbury.

The team of Drew McCririck, Malcolm Tibbett, Peter Haile and Alan Lawrence will now do battle with Hampton Court Palace, East Brighton and Mid-Yorkshire.

And Haile admitted the team are excited at the challenge which lies ahead. “We entered the competition for the first time this year but we didn’t expect anything like this,” said Haile.

“Malcolm only got back from a golfing holiday in America yesterday and it’s Alan’s golden wedding anniversary party this weekend, but we will all be down there tomorrow night and raring to go.

Practice round

“We just want to go and enjoy the event – but you never know what might happen.

“We just hope the weather is fine. The finals were held at the same time three years ago and were affected by snow!”

Confidence certainly shouldn’t be a problem with the team in strong form.

Lawrence claimed the Shropshire Senior over-70 Championship early this summer, while Tibbett got his eye in by picking up the club’s Senior Championship this week.

All four teams will be given courtesy of the course for a practice round tomorrow, with the semi-final draw taking place in the evening.

The two last four ties – consisting of a quartet of singles matchplay games – will take place on Monday, with the final and third-and-fourth place play-off on Tuesday.

Should the match be tied at 2-2, the lowest handicappers from each team will conteast a sudden-death play-off.