Champion Mansell sets out to defend Sprint Series title

Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) defends the Titleist & Footjoy Assistant Sprint Series he won in his first season as a PGA Professional when the four-round event starts at Weston-super-Mare next Wednesday (March 30).

The former Somerset county star started by winning at Weston last year, followed with another success at Dawlish Warren and came fifth at Cumberwell Park to become the overall winner.

But he faces tough competition from several leading players who still qualify for the event restricted to players under 30 years old or still in PGA training. Experienced players James Ruth (China Fleet), Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), Henry Pallas (Hamptworth) and Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) remain his chief rivals.

Ruth enjoyed an outstanding first year as a PGA Member. He was the leading west money winner and qualified to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May after finishing fourth in the play-offs in Turkey.

Nine players from last year’s Order of Merit rankings have entered the opening event, among them Assistants champion Toby Hunt who could benefit this year as the fourth and final round is being staged at his home St Mellons course. He looked the likely winner last year but missed one round.

The opening field of 72 players features a host of new names. Many are unknown and will be making their PGA debuts. But the one exception is Ladies European Tour player Lydia Hall who is a second year trainee at Hensol Golf Academy in Cardiff.

Now 28, the protégé of Southerndown club professional John Peters won the British Masters at The Buckinghamshire in 2012 but was unable to play last year because of knee surgery.

Promising newcomers include Louis Boston (Windmill Hill Golf Academy, Bristol), Charlie Cossins (Ogbourne Downs), Tom Hanson (Tiverton), Joshua Mayo (Parc), Adam Curtis (Bude) and James Jakes (Knowle).

There is prize money for the top five in each of the four qualifying events and the leading 20 players at each event win points. A bonus pool with £500 first prize and an additional award from the sponsors follows the concluding round at St Mellons on May 19. The leading five players win sports equipment packages from the sponsors.

The Sprint visits the championship lay-out at Cumberwell Park on April 7 and moves into Dorset for the first time at Knighton Heath on April 14.