GOLFING punters at the King's Head in Upton are still optimistic a trip to Portugal could be in the offing, despite a below par performance last week.

Four regulars at the pub took part in the first round area heat of the Bass Ale Golfing Pub of the Year competition at the Wor- cester Golf and Country Club, Boughton Park, on Thursday.

Landlord Graham Bunn said the event had not gone as well as hoped.

"We just played averagely. One chap didn't have a particularly good day and the rest were pretty average," he said.

However, the foursome - Nick Day, Phillip Stephen-son, Alan Schooling and Mr Bunn himself - have a second chance.

Next month they take part in a plate competition for the best of the non-qualifiers. If they do well, they could still qualify for the finals at the Vilamoura course, Portugal in June.