Dorset coach revels in playing brief

• Dorset PGA pro who has coached hundreds of kids looking to carve his own playing success
• Ben Christey-Clover ran successful golf academy in Spain 
• Burnham and Berrow signals start of flagship PGA tournament
• GB&I PGA Cup spots up for grabs for those who reach grand final

A Dorset PGA Professional who has introduced hundreds of youngsters to golf will look for his own slice of playing success in The PGA’s flagship tournament.

Shaftesbury-based Ben Christey-Clover will head to Burnham & Berrow (above) for the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship regional qualifier on April 15.

It will be his second consecutive appearance in the event since relocating his Christey-Clover Golf Academy, which he jointly operates with wife Loretta, back home to the UK from Spain.

And he won’t be short of supporters with close to 300 children now attending his sessions at 15 schools and three golf clubs across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset.

The championship has a total prize fund of £91,500 and the winner at the final, which takes place on June 2-5 at the same venue, will secure the use of a Peugeot car for 12 months.

There are also six coveted spots for the PGA Cup up for grabs. The biennial club pros’ version of the Ryder Cup will see a team from Great Britain and Ireland take on the United States at CordeValle, California, in September.

Christey-Clover narrowly missed out on a place in the final last year, losing out in a play-off after carding a three-over-par 75 to tie for the final qualifying spot at Bowood.

But he admitted his first shot at PGA Professional Championship glory has only made him hungrier for success this time around.

“As I was in Spain I had not really been able to play in it before last year,” he explained. “But I enjoyed the experience and even though I missed out, it just makes you even more determined to go out there and make it through next time.

“I don’t know the course very well but I’ve got plenty of golf under my belt and I’m feeling good about my game so hopefully I can go one step further this year.”

Christey-Clover has enjoyed his return to competitive action after seven years spent coaching on the Mediterranean coast.

“I loved working out in Spain - the main difference was that people don’t pack their clubs away for winter as they have the weather to carry on playing!

“It’s great to be back, though, and it’s really exciting to be able to grow our golf academy in the UK. We’re getting more kids involved all the time so we want to extend our hours later into the evening, and undertake some brand new projects too.

“And of course while we’re doing that I’ll be looking to play competitively as much as I can!”

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.”

Other players competing in the qualifier at Burnham and Berrow include: Matthew Dearden (Llantrisant & Pontyclun), Nick Ellis (Naunton Downs), Daryl Kelley (Filton), Albert MacKenzie (Saunton) and Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew).