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23 April, 2007

McTear Lauds Championship Camaraderie

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It looks set to be a case of 'friends re-united' when Scotland's pros make the trip south to compete in the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.

Mar Hall professional John McTear has hailed the event as the 'friendliest tournament' he has ever played in.

McTear won the tournament in 2001 and finished in a respectable fifth position last year but he concedes it is the camaraderie that motivates him rather than any thoughts of personal success.

This year's tournament treads new ground with Northants County Golf Club staging the event for the first time between May 2-4 where a field of around 120 pros will compete for a £35,000 prize fund including £4,750 to the winner.

"Most of the club pros love playing in this tournament because we meet up with so many old pals and there is such a lovely atmosphere," McTear said.

"There are a lot of tournaments where people don't speak to you, but everyone is genuinely pleased to see you there and we catch up with what has been going on at our respective jobs.

"In all the events I've played in I think it is probably the friendliest tournament of any. Even the people you are playing with genuinely support you. I experienced that the year I won it - I found that my two playing partners were very encouraging and I think that's quite unique. That's not something you experience in many tournaments."

McTear also has some words of warning for his old friend and rival Bill Lockie (North Gailes) ahead of the event.

The pair have competed against each other for almost 40 years but McTear has the edge having lifted the Senior Club Pro title in 2001.

"We were both Scottish boys champions and both Scottish Senior PGA champions but I've got the edge on him because he's never won the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship and he's absolutely desperate to get one up on me," he added.

"We're good pals and we're always rooting for each other but hoping one doesn't play better than the other!"

Among the other competitors representing the region will be Ian Collins (Stirling), Richard Bowman (Elderslie) and Bearsden Golf Range's Garry Harvey, who finished joint eighth last year.

The top 20 finishers will be exempt from qualifying for September's PGA Seniors Championship at Stoke by Nayland with the winner also exempt for the Scottish Seniors Open at Dalmahoy.