BRADLEY Park golf professional Parnell Reilly has just completed a secret tour of duty in Afghanistan with Monty.

Parnell’s companion was, however, not Field Marshall Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, but professional golfer and Ryder cup hero Colin Montgomerie.

The two men and the current captain of the Professional Golf Association (PGA), Eddie Bullock, returned on Sunday from a five-day morale-boosting trip for the troops. Unlike Huddersfield, Afghanistan has just one golf course, located near Kabul. Golfers have a big incentive to hit the ball straight as, although the fairways have been cleared, the rough is still mined and a no-go area.

During the visit, the golfers chatted with soldiers and were given tours of Camp Bastion and the British base in Kabul. The three men, who took the Ryder Cup trophy with them, even gave a golf master class on the firing range at Camp Bastion, followed by golf clinics for hundreds of servicemen and women stationed there.

They flew 90 minutes to Kabul where they were entertained at the British Embassy by the Ambassador and met the president of the country’s Olympic committee, who presented them with traditional Afghan hats and cloaks.

The following day the trio gave golf lessons using the golf clubs and balls they had brought out with them to hundreds of Afghan children on a football field inside the British base.

Parnell, who was PGA captain from 2007 to 2009, was sworn to secrecy and security for the visit was at top level at all times.

He said: “It was surreal, but this has probably been the most exciting, rewarding and humbling experience I have ever encountered.

“It was just fantastic. There were quite a few keen golfers out there, even as low as one handicappers. The camp was buzzing that the PGA had taken the effort to come out and see them.

“If what we did takes their minds off what they are doing for just a short while, then it was worth it.

“To see what they do out there brings into perspective what dangers they face but equally impressive is the quiet, confident way they go about their work and we felt safe in their hands.

“For us it was an absolute honour to be asked and a privilege to be there.”

For travelling to Afghanistan and flying on to Kabul, the golfers had to wear full body armour, helmets and dog tags. According to Parnell, the night flight to Camp Bastion with the troops was an incredible experience.

He said: “It was absolutely pitch black and then suddenly the aeroplane just drops like a stone, you have no idea where you are. It was nerve wracking and exciting at the same time.”

He has returned from his visit with a souvenir. During the tour of Camp Bastion, the golf pros were given the chance to fire rifles and pistols on the range. Two of Parnell’s bullets have been made into a set of cufflinks which he has brought back home.