EH Smith gives Midland Professional Championship firm foundations

03/03/2020

The PGA Midlands oldest and most prestigious tournament, the Midland Professional Championship, has been given a major boost by EH Smith Builders Merchants agreeing to sponsor the event.

EH Smith, which operates from its head office in Shirley, Solihull, and has nine trading builders merchants sites around the Midlands, is a loyal supporter of PGA events in the region and its commercial director, Darren Moles, is a keen golfer.

The firm sponsored the Midland Masters and the pre-tournament pro-am two years ago as well as pro-ams in 2015 and 16.

In addition to having a new sponsor, the EH Smith Midland Professional Championship will be staged at Moseley Golf Club, Birmingham, for the first time.

The tournament, which is the oldest in professional golf, was first contested in 1897 and winners include Ryder Cup players Jack Hargreaves, Brian Waites, Peter Butler, Peter Baker and Paul Broadhurst.

Robert Rock and Paul Streeter, winners on the European and Staysure Tours respectively, have also won the event while the most recent name engraved on the plinth that supports the famous old trophy is that of Jamie Brittain, a PGA Assistant.

Brittain will defend his title on September 9^th, a day after the traditional pre-tournament pro-am which is also sponsored by EH Smith.

In total a prize fund of £10,000 is on offer, of which three-quarters is allocated to the EH Smith Midland Professional Championship.

The pro-am will be contested by a maximum of 45 teams comprising a PGA pro and three amateurs, many of whom will be EH Smith’s suppliers or customers.

“The event gives guests an opportunity to play golf with a pro and network over breakfast and dinner with industry leaders in an idyllic location,” said Moles, pictured above with Paul Bradshaw, winner of the 2018 EH Smith Midland Masters.

The 36-hole EH Smith Midland Professional Championship will be the fourth and final PGA Midlands Order of Merit tournament of the season, all of which now have sponsors.

Morley Hayes Golf Club, Derbyshire, is supporting the first on May 5 and 6; Oakmere Golf Club, Nottinghamshire is backing the second on June 4 and 5; and Glazerite will be sponsoring the third at Wellingborough Golf Club for the 15^th year in succession on July 9.

Commenting on EH Smith’s support, regional manager James Brown said: “We’re delighted Darren and his team have agreed to sponsor our most prestigious and oldest tournament and the pro-am that precedes it.

“Their support for the Midland Masters and its pro-am in 2018 was a huge success and we’re sure their involvement this year will follow suit.

“Having them on board means all the Order of Merit events are sponsored and, with three of the events being staged at new venues plus a return to Wellingborough and a reunion with our most loyal supporter, Glazerite, an exciting and challenging programme is in place.”