Kent says ‘cheers’ to Shepherd Neame
24/03/2014
The PGA in Kent has received a boost with the announcement that Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, will once again sponsor its county championship in 2014.
Following on from the success of last year when rookie Charlie Wilson won The PGA in Kent Championship at Royal St George’s, the brewer will support this year’s event at Littlestone in September.
Shepherd Neame supplies pubs, hotels and clubs in Kent and the surrounding Home Counties, and is a big name in golf sponsoring the Kent, Sussex and Middlesex County Golf Unions. Its well-known products include Spitfire, Christmas Ale and Bishop’s Finger.
Giles Hilton, Shepherd Neame’s head of free-on sales, said: “We are still a family-controlled, regional brewer. We think of all our customers as local, and we know what it takes to run successful clubs and pubs.”
“Our success is built on the strength of our customer relationships. Being able to support local golf, golfers and the PGA Professionals in Kent allows us to do that.”
Chris Weston, the Kent county stalwart and head professional at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis GC, added: “This is a great development for professional golf in Kent, and to play our championship courses under tournament conditions against our county peers is a very exciting prospect."
The PGA in Kent Championship will be held over 36 holes at Littlestone GC in New Romney on Thursday 18th September 2014. Littlestone will also be holding its own Club pro-am, another new PGA tournament in the South, on the following Saturday 20th September to which all teams and PGA Professionals are welcome.
