Everett back on track for Titleist & FootJoy challenge
25/07/2016
Craig Everett is targeting his best ever performance in the PGA Professional Championship next week despite a freak injury walking his dog.
Everett, of Glasgow’s Caldwell Golf Club, is taking part in the £78,000 Titleist & FootJoy sponsored tournament which takes place at The Oxfordshire between July 26-29.
The 48 year old, a former European Tour player, PGA Assistants’ Champion and Scottish Amateur Champion in 1990, finished joint 10th at Burnham & Berrow links last year but admits luck has not been on his side in recent weeks.
“I’ll be fit to play at The Oxfordshire but I have just had six weeks out with a calf injury,” he said.
“It was a freak accident that did it, but it wasn’t that exciting - I wasn’t skydiving or anything!
“In fact I just out with the dog when I felt it go. It was a strange one but it meant I had to pull out of a few events.”
Everett is determined to build on his display of 12 months ago, but accepts that he is now playing catch-up having missed a few weeks.
“Last year, I’d played quite a lot of events going into the Burnham final, and I was feeling quite sharp.
“This time, I haven’t had those events and I’m building my sharpness back up again. That’s the big difference.
“But I am ready for the final and looking forward to The Oxfordshire.”
It will be a new venue for Everett but he is looking forward to pitting his wits against the American-style course.
“I don’t know much about it, other than what people tell me that’s it is fantastic, so I can’t wait to see it,” said Everett.
“But as to whether it suits my game as opposed to a links venue - I’ll tell you after the tournament!”
There is plenty to play for with the winner taking home a £10,000 first prize and the keys to a Peugeot 308 GT Line Blue HDi 120 for a year while there are also qualification points towards the 2017 Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team.
Other Scottish players heading for The Oxfordshire are 2012 champion Gareth Wright (Weston Linton), Tartan Tour No.1 Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre); Graeme Brown (Montrose Golf Links Ltd); Paul Wytrazek (Burntisland Golf Club); Greg Paxton (Ralston Golf Club); Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Range); and Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf).
