Albert aiming for new record at Burnham

PGA Cup captain Albert MacKenzie is aiming to start his season by setting a new record and ending it with even more success.

MacKenzie is set to play in the West qualifying event of the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship which takes place on May 11 at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.

And if the Saunton Golf Club professional gets through then he will make his 21st appearance in the final.

That is set to better the 20 recorded by Yorkshireman Paul Carman and MacKenzie has his sights set on that before moving on to the highlight of his year.

MacKenzie will lead the GB and Ireland squad into the PGA Cup meeting with the USA where they will be defending the trophy at Foxhills in Surrey in September.

But he will be getting in among some of the players hoping to make it into the team when he tees off at Burnham & Berrow.

Some of the top club professionals from the West and Wales will be aiming to reach the £78,000 grand final which is being held in Ireland this year at Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club near Dublin.

“I’ll be playing at Burnham because I want to get that 21st appearance in the final,” said MacKenzie.

“That’s a personal goal for me as it’ll be a new record, and then it’s down to the business of naming the PGA Cup team so I’m hoping I can start on a high note and keep that going right to the end of the season at Foxhills.

“I’ll be going there soon with the three players who’ve already qualified for the PGA Cup team to take a look at the venue,

“Then it’s going to get very competitive when we head over to Dublin for the final with players pushing for selection.

“It’s a very special year for me and a lot of the players who want to be in the squad. I think I saw Jason Levermore - part of the 2015 winning team - say recently that golf is such an individual game, but this is the one time we can all come together as a team. So that’s what it’s all about.”

Among those also due to take part in the Burnham & Berrow event are: Chris O’Neill (Cardiff Golf Club); Andrew McGreevey (Bristol & Clifton Golf Club); Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor Resort Ltd); Chris Gill (Newquay Golf Club); Christian Vine (Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club) and Martyn Thompson (Parkstone Golf Club).