Brough pro set for Foxhills date

Gordon Townhill may be approaching the twilight years of a distinguished career that has seen him compete with golf greats like Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, but there are no signs that he will hang up his clubs just yet. 

The 63-year-old former north region champion, who is director of golf at Brough Golf Club near Hull, is preparing to start 2014 with an appearance in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills Resort on May 14-16.

It is a tournament he has competed in regularly over the last ten years, and he is hoping he can be among the front-runners aiming to depose current champion Wraith Grant and claim the Bernard Hunt Trophy.

“I do enjoy this event,” Townhill said. “I’ll be going there hoping to finish in the top 20 at least, although obviously we’ll see what my form is like when I get there.

“The championship is always a great event to be a part of, and it gives me a great opportunity to catch up with some of the other pros I have played with during my career.

“I’ve had a few injuries over the last two or three years, but I feel a bit better this year and I’m hoping I can play a bit and get some good results, starting at Foxhills.”

During his younger days Townhill competed in two Opens, a PGA Cup and on the European Senior Tour, although it could have been more had he not been beset by injury as he approached his prime.

“Everyone who plays golf dreams of teeing off alongside the great players at the biggest tournaments,” he explained.

“I was no different to that and I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience those big days and stand alongside legends like Nicklaus and Jacklin.

“My back problems prevented me from taking it on full time, but those experiences help me a great deal when it comes to teaching the talented young players we have here at the club.

“They know I’ve stood on the first tee and experienced the same emotions as them and that helps a lot.”

Never were those emotions more evident than at St Andrews in 1973, when Townhill played alongside Scunthorpe-born two-time major winner Jacklin, widely considered the best of his generation, at the Scottish Open during an 18-month spell on the European Tour.

“I just remember walking up to the first tee and thinking ‘I have to keep the ball on the fairway’,” he recalled.

“I was really nervous to start with, but once I got going I was fine. Jacklin was great to play alongside and it was such a good experience for a young lad as I was then. I learnt a great deal from it and it’s something that has stayed with me to this day.”

Other players taking part in the Senior PGA Professional Championship include: Gary Brown (Ganton), Mark Daubney (Wetherby), Chris Gray (Cottingham), Paul Horridge (Bolton Old Links) and Simon Longster (Leeds).