Danny aims to bounce back from freak final exit

Garforth Golf Club’s Danny Wilkes is hoping for no more slip ups at this year’s PGA National Assistants’ Championship final.

The Leeds player took part in the showpiece event 12 months ago when it was held at Coxmoor Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.

But he had to abandon his bid when he injured himself falling down some steps during the first round.

Now the 27-yea-old is back in the final and hoping there will be no such mishaps when he tees off in the £32,000 Birdietime-supported competition which is being staged at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey between July 3-5.

“I played last year at Coxmoor and slipped on some steps at the 7th tee,” he recalled.

“I was one under through six during the first round, but it was raining.

“The seventh is a raised tee and when I went down the wooden steps there was a spectator coming up, and rather then let them up I tried to sneak past them, but I put one foot on the stairs and I was gone. I went flying.

“Let’s hope I get a bit further this year!

“That put me out of the tournament, I hurt my back and hip - I had to take a couple of days off.

“But it was my own fault completely, I accept everything on that one. So I’m looking forward to going to Fareligh and playing at a new course.”

Wilkes qualified for the final with a fifth placed finish at the qualifying event held at the tricky Hesketh Golf Club course in Southport.

He turned to the PGA training course after spending time on Tour after turning pro when he was 21.

“I was playing EuroPro events and other competitions, but there comes a time in your life when you have to think about your career,” he said.

“I got married last year and there’s a baby on the way in December. Things just change and you have to look at something that brings an income while doing something you’re passionate about. The PGA gives me massive stability but I still get to play a lot so that’s worked out well.”

Other players from Yorkshire and the North East due to play at Farleigh include: Calum Hey (Shipley Golf Club); George Pennells (Cookridge Hall Golf Club); and Isaac Simpson (Hallowes Golf Club)