Drummond set for Cornish Festival debut

Former PGA champion Scott Drummond makes his debut in the West region PGA Cornish Festival next week as he attempts to return to top-class competition.

The Plymouth-based player, who claimed a sensational victory at Wentworth in 2004 despite being ranked 435th in the world, has not given up on a return to the European Tour.

He lost his Tour card in 2010 and has since been playing on the Challenge Tour and on mini-tours.

The popular PGA Cornish Festival is being contested the outstanding links of Trevose, St Enodoc and Newquay from Tuesday to Thursday.

Drummond, aged 40, says he may well play in other West tournaments and pro-ams this season as he prepares for another shot at regaining his lost Tour status.

“I don’t feel any different physically to when I was in my thirties or mid-twenties as I feel I can still play,” he said.

Playing in Cornwall is also useful preparation for his annual return to Wentworth where former champions are welcomed back each year.

This year’s Festival was sold out in record time only 38 days from the official opening date for applications.

Entries from 110 professionals and their teams of three amateurs, not only from the West and Wales but also from all over Britain, were received at the Woodbury Park headquarters before the end of January.

Four Ryder Cup men are playing. Phillip Price, who first played in the West Region when he turned professional in 1989, heads a team of Welshmen for the first time.

The others are Paul Broadhurst, who was beaten into second place by James Ruth (China Fleet) last year, Peter Baker (South Staffordshire) and Steven Richardson (Lee-on-the-Solent).

Former PGA National Assistants’ champion Matthew Cort (Rothley Park) and Chris Gane (Lefthandedgolf.co.uk at Sundridge Golf Club), who led the winning team on his debut last year, are among many notable players and personalities.

Jon Bevan, this year’s PGA Cup captain who is now at Rhos-on-Sea after a lengthy spell at Wessex Golf Centre in Weymouth, is another leading entrant.

European Senior Tour players Andrew Sherborne (Trevose), George Ryall (Players Club, Bristol) and former European Tour man Paul Mayo from Newport are among leading local players in the field.

They also include Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), David Dixon (Enmore Park), Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle), Liam Bond (St Pierre) and Martyn Thompson (Parkstone).

Former England international and Sky TV football pundit Matt Le Tissier has been enjoying the Festival in Stoneham PGA professional Ben Johnson’s team for a number of years.

Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) and Richard Sadler (Killiow) could lead the local challenge from Cornwall as Ruth is unable to defend his title as he is taking his PGA exams.