Harvey set for renewed final bid

Glasgow Golf Club assistant PGA Professional Blair Harvey is determined to show his progress a year after missing out on a place the PGA Assistants’ Championship final.

Harvey will take his second stab at the Galvin Green sponsored event when he tees up at the Scottish qualifier at Auchterarder on May 11.

It comes 12 months on from his debut in the tournament which saw a stumble over a difficult last three holes strip him of a place in the championship final.

But since then he has upped his hours on the practice ground – thanks in no small part to the supportive staff at Glasgow who have shown their dedication to helping Harvey, who aspires to one day play on the European Tour, continue to improve his game.

The 22 year old regularly spends hours on the practice ground honing his skills, all while continuing to teach and fulfil other commitments at his new club.

Harvey, who moved to the venue earlier this year, believes that will help in his bid to make it to the £32,500 final at Coventry Golf Club on August 5-7.

“I’m feeling confident going into this,” he admitted. “My golf is good and the bosses here are really keen for me to practice as much as I can.

“Then again we can all have a bad day!

“Having said that I learnt a lot from last year where with three holes to go I thought I had got my place in the final and then lost my head.

“Before I knew it I had completely gone out of contention – but I’m more experienced this year and I go back really hopeful that I can make it through to the final.”

Harvey has excelled since deciding against a placement in Arizona in 2013, instead opting to join The PGA’s Foundation Degree Programme and turn pro in the UK.

In his first full year as a pro he announced himself on the regional circuit and even got to play a round of golf with the head of the Jamaican Commonwealth Games team, Major Desmon Brown.

“It was really good fun,” Harvey enthused. “I took him to where I used to practice and we had a great round of golf with him.

“He was just a really interesting person and has even invited us back up to Jamaica.

“I haven’t had the chance to take him up on the offer yet, but I might just do so in the winter when things are a little quieter – and it’ll be nice to take some time away from the cold weather!”

Mike Johnson-Hill, managing director of Galvin Green UK, said: “Galvin Green is proud to be associated with such a long-standing and valued event and keen to support the younger generation of PGA Professionals who are so important to the future of the game.”

"The popularity of this event among aspiring PGA Professionals is great to see and we are delighted to be playing a small part in their progression in the game."

Other players competing in the Auchterarder regional qualifier include: Ailsa Bain (Gullane), Cameron Farrell (Cardross), Andrew Hutchinson (Douglas Park), Palmer Mitchell (Stirling), Fraser Robertson (Lundin) and Kirstin Scott (Gleneagles).