BROMSGROVE golfer Pete Williams will be feeling the heat as he swaps the freezing weather for sunny Portugal in his quest to be crowned Wilson Matchplay Golf champion.

Williams, assistant greenkeeper at Bromsgrove Golf Centre, in Stratford Road, flies out to Portugal today for the 72-hole matchplay grand final.

He will be the region's only representative after blasting his way through an original 6,000-strong national field.

Playing off a six-handicap, 37-year-old Pete, who also plays at Bromsgrove Golf Club, will go head-to-head with five other finalists from around Britain at the Vale do Lobo course - scene of last year's Portuguese Open.

And Pete feels he is more than up to the challenge ahead.

He said: "When I first made it through to Portugal I was elated but now I'm there it isn't enough.

"I am going out there with the belief that I can and will win and with Liz's help and advice I really believe I can bring the trophy back with me."

Pete made it to the four-day final, after winning at Sandwell Park Golf Club in October, with the help of caddie Liz Newton, who will be accompanying him to the Algarve.