The 29 year-old senior credit analyst from the village near Bourne has won a place in the inaugural People's Open at Royal Birkdale – the venue which provided the backdrop for Padraig Harrington's epic defence of the Claret Jug last weekend.

And while the 15-handicapper is looking forward to playing a links course widely regarded as one of the best in the world, the father-of-one is praying bad weather doesn't turn the experience into a total nightmare.

"I watched with a mixture of fascination and horror at the weekend as some of the best players in the world were made to look decidedly average on a course which is a real killer when the weather decides to turn," he said.

"One of the competitors this year, Olly Wilson, is an acquaintance of mine through work and a very fine European Tour player but he really struggled for the first two days and failed to make the cut.

"And to see other great players struggling so much just went to show how tough it can be so I will be going up there with fairly realistic ambitions regarding my own score.

"If the weather stays good then I will be aiming to break 100 – if not then 110 or so I would probably regard as a decent score on such a formidable course."

Normally used to the somewhat less daunting proposition posed by Sleaford Golf Club, where he has been a member for two years, Goode rarely shoots above 90 on home turf.

But whatever the score come competition time on August 21, after qualifying at Belton Woods to make the final, the amicable amateur is determined to make sure he enjoys the experience regardless of how many shots he takes to get round.

"I have often wondered what it would be like to play one of the world's great courses and now I am going to get the chance, he added.

"I have been to watch a few big tournaments at some excellent world famous course but never dreamed of getting the chance to play somewhere like that myself.

"Hopefully they will decide to cut the rough by the time we play there which should make it a bit easier but it's still going to be a real test.

"The competition is split up into various handicap groups so it should be an even playing field for all of us but as long as I don't embarrass myself out there I will come back a happy man for the experience I am sure."