Burnham & Berrow to host flagship event

Somerset gem Burnham & Berrow is set to play host to the UK's leading PGA pros when it stages the prestigious Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship from June 2-5.

The links course will welcome 144 pros who have qualified for the 72-hole showpiece event which carries a total prize fund of £91,500.

The field will include several PGA Professionals who played in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week, while PGA Cup captain Jon Bevan will also be present.

He’ll be running the rule over his potential charges as the leading six players will qualify to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the biennial matchplay event at CordeValle, California in September.

The leading PGA Professional will take home a £10,000 first prize, while Peugeot will provide the winner with the use of a top of the range 308GT for a year.

The event is the flagship championship on The PGA’s calendar and was won last year by Christopher McDonnell.

He will head to Burnham and Berrow to defend his title, won last year at Blairgowrie.

Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director, said: “We are really excited to be sponsoring a tournament that sits at the pinnacle of The PGA schedule, providing PGA Professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the highest level.

“This year marks the first in a new four year partnership between Titleist and The PGA. It is a relationship we are proud to expand in order to help serious golfers of all abilities, from competitive club-based professionals to club golfers, shoot their best scores.

“We look forward to meeting competitors at the regional qualifiers and the final at the magnificent Burnham and Berrow in June and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”

Among those taking part from the South West include: George Ryall (Players), Thomas Hiscock (Henbury), Michael Watson (Wessex), Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) and Richard Brookman (Creigau).