Richard Dinsdale, the West Region Order of Merit winner, will be made to feel at home by his caddy when he makes his first competitive appearance at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship today.

His father John, who has been carrying his bag at tournaments in Wales and the West for the past two years, has been rewarded for his efforts by the chance to experience the atmosphere of the European Tour’s flagship occasion.

"Having dad with me is a great comfort," said the 38-year-old club professional, who has spent the past seven years at the Parc Golf Academy in Newport.

His father, the former club secretary at both Newport and Royal Porthcawl, is 66 but has played the West Course several times.

The five-handicapper is now touring the country in his latest role as this year’s captain of the Golf Club Managers’ Association.

Meanwhile, Richard is hoping to be fighting fit after having an operation to clean out debris in his left knee in January which has seen him desperately short of competitive golf.

"What with combining work and teaching and spending time with my two young boys, I have been struggling for a bit of form," he admitted.

"I played poorly at Celtic Manor in the Glenmuir PGA Professional qualifier but I have stepped up my practice and took the opportunity to play at Wentworth for the first time last month."

A friend has a corporate membership so they played the West Course on a quiet, but windy spring day.

"I loved it. It was inspiring... fantastic," added Dinsdale.

"I was oblivious of the changes as it was my first visit, but I could see the new areas.

"I was surprised how undulating it is – on television it looks pretty flat. The bunkers are enormous and the greens quite small. There was a quality about the place."

Dinsdale, a member of the victorious PGA Cup team in 2005, spent one full year on the European Tour in 1996 and followed with five seasons on the Challenge tour while attached to Newport Golf Club.

He said: "I am quite confident I can do well. I want to be as sharp as I possibly can and I am not just seeking to make the cut but finish in the top 30.

"There were two regional winners in the final rounds last year."

Dinsdale has not given up the dream of returning to full-time playing.

"I would still love to play for a living but I couldn’t imagine being away from home with two young boys, although you can never say never," he said.

One person hoping he makes the cut is his brother Chris, a Gwent county player whose handicap is plus one. He is competing in the British Police Championships at Marriott St Pierre until Friday so cannot go to Wentworth until the weekend.