It’s a great honour, he says…

Steve Parry admits he’s “chuffed to bits” to represent England in next week’s European International Team Championship at the Palmares Beach Resort in Portugal.

The 34-year-old Bolton-born professional, who runs his own golf academy at Westhoughton club Hart Common, earned his place in the three-man side for finishing third in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Carden Park in August.

“It’s a great honour,” said former Leeds Cup winner Parry who will be joined in Portugal by former European Tour player Stuart Little, who’s attached to Minchinhampton, and Leicestershire’s Craig Shave.

“The only time I’ve played for my country was in the English Schools’ Championship as a lad,” he recalled.

England finished fourth at Vale do Lobo last year, 11shots adrift of winners France, in an event that attracts 26 teams.

“Hopefully we can do better this time and add further sporting glory to a summer littered with British sporting success,” added Parry, who this season finished second in the PGA North Region Order of Merit which he won two years ago.

His success in the Glenmuir also qualified him to play in the European UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe in Bulgaria in September where he shared 11th place.

Four days of action start at Palmares on Tuesday.

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For live updates, results and news from the 2012 International Team Championship, keep checking cpg.golf, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.