REIGNING Sunshine Challenge champion Rob Ryan will be jetting off to the sun again this year, but not to defend his Daily Echo match play trophy.

The 10-handicapper has qualified for the Daily Express pairs final at Runaway Bay in Jamaica from October 29 to November 5.

Ryan, who got knocked out of this year’s Sunshine Challenge in the second round, teamed up with Dorset Golf and Country Club club-mate Julian Baugh to finish third in the national pairs final at the Forest of Arden.

The top six from 30 pairs qualified for the grand final in Jamaica, with Ryan and Baugh chalking up a combined score of 70 Stableford points.

Ryan and Baugh reached the national final with another third-place finish at the Hertfordshire in the regional qualifier.

“It has been a mixed year really, golf wise,” said Ryan. “I had got down to a nine handicap, but slipped back to 10 during the summer.

“It would have been good to reach my third Sunshine Challenge finals day at Remedy Oak, but the trip to Jamaica certainly makes up for the disappointment.”

Five-handicapper Baugh reached the third round of the Sunshine Challenge while Ryan successfully defended his 36-hole Bournemouth Open medal trophy.