A LUCKY golfer will still embark on a dream trip, despite the organising company going out of business.

Mark Robinson had his bags packed ready to fly to a tournament in Portgual’s Algarve when he was told he would be unable to go.

The 38-year-old, from Shildon, County Durham, had qualified for five days of free golf after winning the regional heats of a competition called the Sunshine Matchplay Challenge.

The event was cancelled after the Gateshead-based Inta Group, which organises golfing holidays, ceased trading.

Mr Robinson’s devastation quickly turned to elation, however, when Paul Corney, who organises another Algarve golf tournament, stepped in and offered him a paid-for week’s trip.

Mr Robinson, who plays off a handicap of 12 at Newton Aycliffe’s Oak Leaf golf course, took up the sport only three years ago.

He had already paid his own air fare to take part in the Sunshine Challenge and persuaded bosses at the Aycliffe Young People’s Centre, where he is a residential worker, to allow him to take the time off.

Mr Robinson said: “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I had packed my bags and my golf clubs ready to go when I got the phone call.”

Mr Robinson’s dream trip was resurrected when Mr Corney rang after learning of his plight.

He said: “I was asked if I wanted to join in their competition and offered a free place. I thought it was a windup.

I cannot thank him enough.”

Mr Corney, who organises a golfing invitation tournament in the Algarve in conjunction with Golfing Holidays, said: “We hope he has a good time.”

■ The Inta Group, which is reportedly to go into administration, employs about 20 people in the North-East. It is protected by the ABTA travel association.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for ABTA said the group – which also traded under Longshot Golf Holidays, 3D Golf, Bill Goff Golf Tours, Jack High Bowling Holidays and the Sunshine Challenge – had about 1,500 bookings it had not fulfilled.

She said anyone wishing to make a claim over a booking should call 01243-621500.