CK Group mops up PGA South 2021 Order of Merit

Long-term PGA South Associate CK Group has agreed to support the region’s 2021 Order of Merit which comprises five events open to PGA Professionals and Trainees. 

The quintet forms the highlights of the PGA South tournament schedule, which also features the ever-popular pro-ams at West Hill, Hayling, Hankley Common, West Surrey, Farnham and the Nelson Trophy at St George’s Hill, Weybridge.   

The major attraction, however, is undoubtedly the Westcoast Pro-Am at Bearwood Lakes, which boasts the largest winner’s cheque in one-day UK professional golf and a total professional prize fund of £30,000.

Commenting on CK Group’s continuing support, Ian Pether, the company’s managing director, said: “We have enjoyed a great relationship with The PGA and many individual PGA Professionals over the years.

“And after the pandemic year in 2020, we wanted to help make 2021 as good as year on the golf course as possible. 

“Supporting professional golf is not only great for us but also for helping our local region develop its terrific golf schedule. We are also delighted to provide PPE supplies and cleaning solutions through our CK Consumables brand to all PGA Professionals and golf facilities across the country.”

The Order of Merit series is open to all PGA Professionals and Trainees in the South region and Canterbury’s Richard Wallis will begin his title defence and chase of a record seventh southern crown on May 12-13 at Sunningdale Heath.

The 54-hole event over the tight and testing Surrey track will have a a slight change of format: all professionals will play with an amateur partner on day one in a pairs pro-am, then the pros who make the cut will play rounds two and three on the second day.

Cuddington will again host the PGA Surrey Open in July, before a return to Prince’s in August for the PGA Kent Open Championship over the reimagined Himalayas-Shore course.

CK Facilities Management, who also sponsor current PGA Professional Champion, Matt Ford (pictured above), will then support the PGA Southern Professional Championship, the first tournament held over newly transformed Chart Hills in Kent. 

The series will conclude at Paultons, Hampshire, for the PGA Southern Open Championship in a jointly sanctioned event with PGA West in which the top 60 players from each region will battle it out to decide their respective Order of Merits.

The net result will be a total prize fund worth in the region of £70,000, five tournament winners, three players to represent the region in the 2022 PGA Play Offs and one worthy champion of the CK Facilities Management PGA South 2021 Order of Merit.

Regional manager Sam Smith is delighted CK Group is continuing to support the region and said: “We’re very fortunate to have a strong and supportive relationship with Ian Pether and the CK Group. 

“Their ongoing support has enabled us to develop yet another great schedule and some great opportunities, both on and off the course, for all our PGA Members.”

• Categories:
• The PGA
• Regions and Counties
• South