Ricky Pharo joins Ashley Chesters for the Open

But, later this week, Ashley Chesters and Ricky Pharo will not just be watching one of English sport's great annual dramas unfold – they will be firmly part of it.

Pharo will have the honour of caddying for 24-year-old Chesters, his former school mate at Thomas Adams in Wem as well as golfing partner and close friend, at Hoylake.

Pharo said: "Myself, Ashley and Tom Benbow used to play junior golf together at Hawkstone Park and we went to the Open at Royal Troon and St George's when we were 13 or 14.

"We would drive through the night to get there for the start of that day's play, watch all the action and then drive back the same evening. Long days but great memories."

Nothing, however, compared to the memories that Chesters and Pharo will create as they fly the Shropshire flag going up against Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Co over the coming days.

It was Chesters' European Championship success 12 months ago which provided the stamp on his passport to this week's extraordinary golfing adventure.

Pharo wasn't on the bag for that amateur career-defining victory of his long-time friend, but has been at close quarters for many of Chesters' produest achievements.

Pharo was born in Clive, just outside Shrewsbury, and was a former Shropshire & Herefordshire first-team regular before he turned professional in 2010.

He said: "I have caddied for Ash since we were about 14. One of the first times was in the Shropshire & Herefordshire Junior Matchplay final 10 years ago at Market Drayton.

"Ash was only 14 at the time, he played David Gojka from Shifnal in the final and holed in one at the 15th to win the match.

"I have since caddied for him in Midlands events, the British Amateur and we won the Jeffrey Clee (Shropshire & Herefordshire's foursomes championships) playing together in 2010, which was brilliant.

"To see him develop and come through and now play on the biggest stage of them all is fantastic for me and I can't wait for this week.

"It's so exciting to get the chance to share something like this with one of your best mates."

Pharo is not short of golfing pedigree himself. A scratch golfer before turning professional in 2010 for what has proved a largely teaching role, he holds the record of 62 for one of the two courses at Hawkstone Park.

He smiled: "It's about the only thing I have over Ashley, so it's nice."

It's that type of good-natured banter which will be the key to the coming days as the pair aim to keep it as 'business as usual' as possible.

Pharo spent three years as assistant professional at Shrewsbury before taking a similar post at Royal Mid Surrey in Richmond.

He said: "Whenever I've caddied for Ash we have tried to keep it fun, whatever has been at stake. He's so laid back and that makes him very easy to caddie for.

"You just give him his yardage and let him do his stuff. We talk about football and music as we are going around and that will be the plan here. It will just be as normal as we can possibly make it.

"As far as Open venues go, I think Hoylake sets up great for Ashley. It's not the longest Open course, which is good as length isn't one of Ashley's major attributes.

"But it's fairly tight and Ashley is quite a straight hitter. It's a good venue for Ashley and I think he can do really well.

"The first aim is to make the cut and, if we can manage that then hopefully from there the Silver Medal (for leading amateur). I know how good Ash can be and I'm sure he will show it."

Meanwhile, Chesters warmed up for his stint at the Open by helping England to a third -place finish at the European Team Championships in Finland.

Hawkstone Park's Chesters won his foursomes match alongside Ben Stow as England beat Scotland 4.5-2.5 in the third and fourth place play-off.

The national side had won the trophy last year but a 5-2 semi-final defeat to Ireland curtailed their hopes of defending that crown. Spain won the event overall.