East rivals take battle north

The competitive juices of Jason Levermore and Ian Ellis will reach flood proportions next week as the duo chase the most prestigious title on the PGA schedule.

Levermore (Channels, pictured) and Ellis (Great Yarmouth & Caister), currently occupying the top two spots on the East Order of Merit, will be among a number of PGA Professionals from across the east region making the journey to Blairgowrie, Scotland, to compete in the flagship Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship (August 5-8).

It will be Levermore’s debut in the £78,000 tournament, which is supported by Peugeot, and he is ready to make his mark – as well as continue the ‘friendly’ rivalry between himself and Ellis.

Both players are renting cottages next door to each other while in Scotland, taking along their families, and the rivalry won’t cease off the course according to Levermore.

“There’s also some good rivalry between Ian and myself as we’re always trying to out-do each other,” said Levermore.

“He’ll say he’s won more Order of Merits than me, but I come back and say I’ve won eight Order of Merit events to his seven. He’ll go he’s shot this score and I’ll come back with something else. There’s always something we want to out-do each other on!

“It adds to the competition and we’ll be at it again at Blairgowrie with small wagers on birdies and scores on the front nine and back nine, which we did at Wentworth. I am sure whoever has had the better day will bring it up over the nightly barbecue.”

Aside from attempting to take a few quid off Ellis, Levermore is looking to make his presence felt on his first foray in the tournament against an impressive field boasting a number of past champions and PGA Cup players.

“I’m feeling good going into it,” he said.

“I’ve waited about 12 years to compete in this and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve always wanted to compete in it as it’s the biggest event of the year for PGA Professionals and there’s also the chance to get into the PGA Cup team.

“I’m certainly going there determined and know if I can play to the best of my ability then I am in with a chance. I’ve played in five BMW PGA Championships and other tournaments and that experience will certainly help. I certainly won’t feel intimidated.”

The tournament at Blairgowrie, which is staging the junior Ryder Cup in September, is expected to be fiercely contested given the breadth and depth of the 144-man field.

Amongst those making the trip north are Mark Hooper (Rayleigh), who had an impressive performance at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May, Daniel Field (East Herts), Mark Spooner (Glen Lodge), Darren Charlton (Dunstable Downs) and Jason Groat (Denver).

The top two players will secure their place in the end of season Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey, while the winner will also have the use of Peugeot 208 for a year, courtesy of the support sponsors.

Matthew Eagle, UK and Eire Sales Director at Glenmuir, said: “We are delighted to be once again sponsoring the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, recognised and respected as the flagship event for PGA Professionals in Great Britain and Ireland.

“The qualifier venues were of outstanding quality this year as was the standard of golf played throughout, with the magnificent Blairgowrie Golf Club offering a fine venue for this year’s final from 5 - 8 August, which is sure to be as intriguing as ever.

“Our longstanding commitment to the PGA Professional is something very dear to our hearts alongside the game of golf at grass roots level. We hope that these relationships will carry forward for many years to come. 

“We look forward to another exciting tournament, and wish all the competitors the best of luck ahead of the event.”