App-y days for assistants

Assistant professionals who feared one of their top tournaments could sink without trace after it lost its sponsorship have been thrown a lifeline by a fledgling London-based company with North West roots.

Web platform designers mi.pins has a GPS base which connects people though an App to most forms of activities including golf.

The service is due to go live the day after the PGA in England & Wales (North) Assistants' Championship at Ilkley on May 3 which they are financially supporting.

And the man who has brokered the deal is Leyland-born former regional secretary Roger Butler, latterly property and development executive at the PGA's Belfry headquarters.

"The whole concept of mi.pins is based on health and well-being and that involves a whole range of sports," he explained. "Whether you're a pro, an amateur or complete novice we make it easy for you to have a go somewhere near where you live.

"I'm head of golf so this event is our first link with the game and we are planning many more as we expand throughout the UK."

Graham Maly, who succeeded Butler at the north's Bolton HQ, said: "Without mi.pins input the tournament would have been self-funding which is not particularly desirable long-term. It's great to see a former colleague helping us out in this way."