Barham seeks big win in Turkey

Kent PGA Professional Benn Barham will tee up a chance to return to the GB&I PGA Cup team when he plays in the season-ending Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey.

The PGolfCoaching@Pedham pro kick-started a Medinah Miracle-style comeback on the final day of the biennial matchplay event last year, when GB&I came from behind to tie with their American counterparts at Slaley Hall.

The first berths in next year’s team to face the States at CordeValle are available at the play-offs, with the top three eligible players qualifying to represent their country in California next September.

Barham will appear in the £15,000 play-offs courtesy of a fine year in which he topped The PGA in England (South) Order of Merit – yet it will not just be the PGA Cup he has his eyes on.

The top ten players will gain entry to the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, while there are also several other European and Challenge Tour starts available for the leading players.

The 38 year old will be one of three players from the region hitting the PGA Sultan Course on November 29 – December 1.

Chris Gane (Lefthanded Golf at Silvermere) and James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent) will also take part in the 54-hole tournament courtesy of their second and third place finishes in the Order of Merit respectively.

Titleist brand director, Matthew Johnson, commented: “Titleist strives to support golf in all aspects of the game and our partnership with The PGA and the PGA Play-Offs offers a fantastic platform to strengthen our ties with all PGA Professionals.

"We take great pride in validating the #1 ball in golf, used by the best players in the world from touring professionals through to PGA Professionals and elite amateurs, which in turn influences golfers of all abilities to put their trust in the #1 ball in golf to help them shoot their best scores.

“The PGA Play-Offs is a unique event in bringing the leading PGA pros together to compete for an opportunity to tee up at some of the European Tour’s biggest events including the flagship BMW PGA Championship and we look forward to seeing an exciting conclusion to the season."